The Big Step

There are people one meets in ministry that leave you with a lasting impression. I would like to share a story of one such person.



The first time that I met her she was in hospice care at Agape House here in Hamilton Bermuda. It was not a good day for her. She was in a great deal of pain and discomfort. I stayed only for a short period of time and left. In the following days I would drop by for a little chat. Initially that was all that it was, “just a little chat.” Perhaps it was on my third visit that I asked her before leaving if I could share a few verses from the Bible with her and have a little prayer. She agreed and so every week thereafter we would always bring our visit to a close with a Bible reading and a little prayer. I looked forward to our visits and I like to think that she did as well. We became friends. One day I opened our conversation with the question. “How are things today?” She replied, “I am getting ready to take the big step.” She was referring to her death and so we talked about death and what takes place after death. I asked her what she would like me to say at the service that would mark her passing. She had a sense of humor and replied; “Tell them she’s gone.” That was it! She’s gone. Her departure was usually a part of our discussion on every subsequent visit. She wanted to talk about it and I was willing to listen. I asked her if she was frightened and she replied in a somewhat uncertain tone. We talked about the afterlife and the possibilities that await us both positive and negative. She had her doubts. I asked her if she would like to ask Jesus to come into her heart as her Lord and Savior. She said yes and so the prayer request was honest and straight forward. I prayed and she consented to the prayer.

“Lord, I am a sinner. I am lost without you. Come and live in my heart. Forgive me my sins and allow me the peace of your presence.” Amen.

We talked about trust and faith and the promises found in Holy Scripture. I told her that when the time was right Christ would come and usher her home. “Trust Him. He will be with you. You will not take that Big Step alone.” I also reassured her that God would give her the faith that would allow for trust. I left Agape that day and while descending down the hill I thought to myself. “Lord, it is all up to you now. I can’t do anything more please give her the peace that she needs.” Then I said my, “Amen.”

A few days later I went in for a further visit wondering if there would be any change in her outlook. We weren’t thinking of nor did we ever ask for a cure for her disease. We were much more concerned that she would experience the peace that the Bible speaks of even in the face of death. My visit that day began as most of our visits began. “It’s good to see you and how are you today?” While I took note of her relaxed look I heard her say; “I’m not as frightened as I used to be, I just have to trust and have faith.” I said, “Yes, and God will give you that trust and faith.” That visit was on a Thursday and before I left I asked her, “Would you like to make a profession of faith and join the church from your room, here at Agape?” She smiled and nodded yes and there was a sparkle in her eye. She asked me, “What will I have to wear?” I replied, “What you are wearing now is just fine.” I told her that after she joined the church we could celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion together. She thought that was great. So, the very next day (Friday) her husband and two elders from St Andrews (Joan & Bill Davis) along with myself witnessed our sister in Christ make her profession of faith and she was welcomed into the church following which we shared the broken bread and the glass of wine representing the broken body and shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We then presented her with a certificate of membership.

Less than a week later I received a call from the staff at Agape. Initially I thought it was the call we all knew was coming at some point in the near future. But no, it wasn’t. My friend had asked the staff if they would phone me and see if I would come for a visit. The fact that she had asked to see me meant so much to me. Over the weeks I like to thing that we had indeed become good friends. She wasn’t able to talk much on that visit. But when I asked her husband if he had requested the nurse to call me, she was quick to point out with her finger that NO it was her who had made the request. I was so happy. We had our devotions and I left. The following Sunday her husband told me that she had slipped into unconsciousness and that time was running short. I visited her early Sunday afternoon. There was another faithful caregiver by her side. I spoke as if my friend could hear every word which she probably did. I told her that God was coming very shortly for her and she would be home; free of her cancer, free of pain, free of grief, free of sorrow, free of tears. I shared with her Psalm 23 and verses from John 14 as well as Revelation 21 and 22. I offered a prayer and I left. Her heavenly father came for her early the next morning. My friend had finally taken what she called the big step. If you want to know what it is like where she now calls home she and I would both say, “Read the Bible.”



 Rev. John Fraser, husband David and elder Bill Davis



Many times people ask the question, “Why, why, why, why doesn’t death or as my friend called it “the Big Step” come sooner for people in her state?” The Bible gave me the answer in the case of my friend; let me share it with you. John 14:3 Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and will take you to myself that where I am you will be also.” The initial place that Jesus was preparing for my friend was her heart and once her heart was ready once He called her she invited Him in as her Lord and Savior. Now she was ready for her homecoming.

The question which all of us should be asking of ourselves today is; “Am I ready to take the big step. Could today be the day that God is preparing our heart to meet him? “Does Jesus live in our heart as our Lord and Savior?’

Life Blog

We are commencing a new ministry here at St Andrews. We are calling the ministry Life Blog. Those familiar with computer terminology know what a blog is. A blog is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries consisting of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material. Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. The ability of readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs
Well, St Andrews is about to embark on a ministry called Life Blog. Some of the issues that we are going to be looking at include; the battle dealing with loneliness, frustration over religion, life issues and confusion over matters of faith. We will be grappling with the questions and debating the answers. We hope that our dialogue will develop into meaningful conversation. The forum is open to all both in and outside of the church.
We are going to be meeting every Sunday evening at 6:00PM in the Church Hall which is located on the corner of Church and Court Street in Hamilton. The ministry is being led by an adherent of the congregation Mr. Stephanus Louw. Stephanus is a young CA from South Africa who is presently working at Deloitte Accounting Firm here in Hamilton. You are invited to join us in person OR send us a comment, a statement, a question by responding to this blog. We will get back to you!

A Lamp Unto My Feet - For a New Year, 2011

Light comes in all shapes and sizes. We enjoy the light that falls from a sparkling chandelier. When the power goes out we reach for our flashlight and light a candle. We put little lights in our hallways and call them night lights so we won’t stub our toes in the dark. We decorate our lawns and gardens with little solar lights. The sun sheds its beautiful light during the day and the moon reflects the light of the sun at night.

Without light we would be in the dark! Without light plants could not grow. Without light we would freeze. Without light, life as we know it would cease to be. Without light we would all die.

The Bible tells us that the first thing that God created was light! Genesis 1:3 reads, “Let there be light and there was light.” Hear also this verse from the Psalms, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path” (119:105). Standing on the steps of a New Year I would like us to think seriously about this text.

Many of us are on a path in life where we are busy dragging problems and worries:
-from one day into the next
-from one week into the next
-from one month into the next
-and yes even from one year into the next

We worry about the past and we worry about the future. We worry about our health. We worry about the health of others. We worry about our jobs. We worry about not having a job. We worry about worrying.

No matter how good a computer is it can still come crashing to a standstill if overloaded with too much data. We sometimes treat ourselves like a computer by overloading ourselves with worry. Some times people will “crash” just like their computer only we call it burnout, stress attack, breakdown or heart attack.

I want you to give some serious thought to what our text is telling us about light. A lamp, the type of which is being referred to in this text, lights only the immediate area around its base. Think about that!

Notice that the Bible did not say, “Your Word is like the blazing sun to my feet,” but “your word is a lamp to my feet.” God’s Word shows us where to walk a step at a time. God’s Word is not a spotlight that illuminates what the road is like a mile ahead but what the path is like immediately below our feet.

Can you see one small blessing to be thankful for? Then thank Him for that one small blessing.

Can you see one persistent sin that you are carrying with you into the New Year? Ask God to forgive you for that one sin.

Is there one small temptation that still keeps company with you? Ask God to help you shake that one temptation.

Walk with God one step at a time. We cannot change the past and we know not what the future may hold but we do know that with the light of his Word as our guide that He will instruct us where it is safe to place our next step. So, don’t lag in the past, don’t run blindly into the future for the lamp of God’s Word only sheds light a step at a time.

May God richly bless you as you walk into the year ahead.

Blessings

(Rev.) John Fraser

Reminders From the Past

Have you ever looked at something, heard something or experienced something that ushered in a flood of memories? While visiting family on our recent holiday I was reminded that in my brother’s attic was a box of “artifacts.” The box was full of personal mementos that were stored under my name following our mother’s passing seven years ago. Each member of the family had their box of mementos! I sorted through my box to see what I might be able to take with me on my flight home. Somehow and somewhere I found room in my suitcase to squeeze in a number of items but the rocking chair would definitely have to wait and the large picture of the Lord’s Supper became a present to my sister!

Arriving back in Bermuda I proceeded to look through my box of memories. My mother kept everything that we as children had given her (mom’s love to do that sort of thing). I remember the picture of lilies at the foot of a cross that I drew and colored for her over 50 years ago. There were the postcards I had sent her when I visited China back in 1988. I never knew she kept the postcards! What’s this? There was a picture of mom and I standing at the front of her house. I was dressed in my military uniform which meant that it was taken in the early 80’s when I was doing officer’s training while serving as a Padre with the Calgary Highlanders. The training had taken place at Camp Aldershot located in the Valley area of Nova Scotia. Alongside this picture was one of my uncle who was also in uniform having served during the second world war. Pictures can bring back a thousand memories! I reached for a picture of a big tall man standing next to a little boy. Wow, that was me and the big guy beside me was my dad! Besides the pictures there was a window reflector that said Peace on it a gift that I had given mom many years ago. I could go on but I’ll restrain myself. What did I do with these keepsakes? Did I toss them out? Did I store them in a box? No! The pictures are on my shelf in the office located in our home and on the widow is the Peace in Jerusalem reflector! The rocking chair and an old picture frame remain in my brother’s attic in Nova Scotia. I will pick them up when it is time to relocate back to Canada.

It is very difficult to dismiss things that have a story attached to them. Look around you and see everything that speaks of Christmas. Allow the lights to remind you of the brightness of the angelic chorus in the night’s sky. What about the carols don’t they speak of the excited chatter of the shepherds and wisemen who marveled at the gift before them? What about the boxes wrapped so beautifully, do they remind you of someone else’s gifts; gold, frankincense and myrrh? Then, there is the manger scene and that reminds me that God still offers the gift of his Son as the Savior of the world. It’s hard to throw things away especially the precious things that speak to us and remind us of another’s love.

Fasten Your Seatbelts

Greetings, to everyone who is taking the time to read this blog. As you are aware Jill and I have been on holidays for the past few weeks. Actually, we were not only vacationing but we also attended a fantastic Leadership Conference at Ligonier Ministries in Florida. It was while we were in Florida near the end of the conference that we received word from Canada that Jill’s father was not well. We changed all travel plans and flew back to Ontario not knowing what to expect.

Jill’s dad (Bill) was in hospital and initially things did not look well. However, Bill is now at home where he enjoys some freedom of movement while under daily nursing care. We are very thankful to God for hearing our prayers for a man (age 94) whose mind is clear and whose faith is intact.

Besides the emergency flight from Florida to Ontario let me share with you about what took place on another flight. We were flying from Atlanta to Orlando where we were to attend the Leadership Conference. The flight was full as Jill and I took our seats at the back of the plane. Jill took the window seat I took the middle and a gentleman (originally from India) took the isle seat. While the plane was preparing to take off I glanced over at my friend and noticed that he was reading a book whose author was to be the lead speaker at the conference we were about to attend. When I brought this to his attention he closed the book and for the rest of the flight we enjoyed a great conversation.

He shared with me that his grandfather had converted from Hinduism to Christianity and that his father was a minister! He was a member of a Lutheran congregation in Atlanta whose men’s group were using literature from Ligonier Ministries the same source as we use here in Bermuda. The “icing on the cake” came when he told me his vocation. He was a Nuclear Scientist who was on his way to Orlando to give a lecture on the effects of radiation. When I found this out our conversation was good for the rest of the flight! He shared with me that all of his scientific studies gave credence to his faith. “Science,” he said “can only go so far until you reach the point where the only explanation is God.” Before I realized it they were announcing our landing in Orlando and I had to say good bye to my friend.

I am now back in Bermuda (Jill is still in Ontario with her parents) enjoying the weather and the awesome privilege it is to minister in the name of the Living God.

Blessings to all.

Rev. John

Vacation Time!

"Back To School" specials are being advertised everywhere we look; a clear signal that for students summer is drawing to a close. Families will soon be returning from the last long weekend to the lake, the seashore, or whatever place is extra special for them. Children are by now pretty well outfitted for school and all the supplies are lined up and waiting to go into that bright new school bag. College and Univ. students know their schedules, their lodging, and their room mates. Mom and dad are about to move into a different mode as well some (if they are being truly honest) glad of the opportunity of have a bit of peace and quietness around the house!

I hope that all of you had a wonderful summer and that you are refreshed and anxiously awaiting a whole new schedule of events that lie ahead. Churches will soon be turning on the machinery that will engage a new year of exciting activities and learning opportunities.

I share these thoughts with you because I am about to do the exact opposite!

I AM ABOUT TO GO ON VACATION!

Let me share with you a little of our vacation plans.

- On Sept. 12th Jill and I are travelling to Hamilton, Ontario where we will be helping her dad celebrate his 93 birthday.

- After the birthday party we move on to Nova Scotia. I have been invited to be the anniversary speaker at the 150th anniversary of St. Georges Presbyterian Church in River John Nova Scotia - the church where I began my ministry 34 years ago. We are both looking forward to seeing friends and family members.

- We then plan to visit our daughter and husband in San Francisco and on our way home attend a Church Leadership Conference sponsored by Ligonier Ministries in Sanford, Florida.

We consider ourselves very fortunate to be able to make these visits and look forward to a time of rest and relaxation.

May God have blessed you during your summer holidays, and will you pray for similar blessings for us?

Your Pastor & Friend
(Rev. John Fraser)

Where Has The Time Gone?

Have you ever asked yourself the above question?

I believe that most of us at one time or another has questioned the speed of time. When we were children we wondered why time passed so slowly. “Will summer ever come?” “When will it be Christmas?” In adulthood we wondered where time went! “I can’t believe that summer is over.” “Christmas has come and gone so quickly.” Time maintains a constant speed. There is the same number of hours in a day for children as there are for adults. What makes time “appear” to move slowly or with the speed of light is what we do with our time. When there is little to occupy our time watch how slowly time will pass. When our “to do list” is filled to capacity watch how quickly time will pass!

This past June marked 34 years that I have been in ministry. This August marks our first full year here in Bermuda. Where have the years gone? Reflecting on this I have asked myself a number of questions? Have I spent my time wisely? Am I at present where God wants me to be? If I could change anything what would it be? What has been the most stressful part of my ministry? What are my plans for the time ahead? Allow me to share with you (briefly) my answers.

Have I spent my time wisely?
The answer is probably no (not all the time)! I would love to have spent more time in disciplined studies. We are never too old to learn.

Am I at present where God wants me to be?
Because I believe in “the Call” to ministry I have absolutely no doubt about my vocation in life. God called me to be a minister; to preach, to heal (relationships) and to baptize. At this time in my ministry God opened the doors for my call to Bermuda and I have answered the Call.

If I could change anything what would it be?
It’s a selfish desire but I would like to have been one who in his ministry harvests more than he plants and waters. Why? Harvesting is what most of your parishioners expect of you. A congregation likes to see a full church, an active youth ministry and a balanced budget.

What has been the most stressful part of my ministry?
Two things! Not being able to do all that I would have liked and secondly not always being able to please people. It looks like God has called me to be a planter rather than a harvester!

What are my plans for the time ahead?
I will continue to plant wherever God calls me. Someday I would like to take further studies providing there is enough time!

Blessings,
Your Pastor & Friend
John Fraser