Hurricanes were always given a women’s name However, in an age of liberation we call them after a man as well as a woman. As I am writing this blog on Sunday afternoon September 9^th the Island of Bermuda is having a visit with Leslie! Leslie has been downgraded from a Hurricane 2, to a Hurricane 1 and as she passes us by she is a Tropical Storm! However, during the next few days she is to upgrade her or himself to a Hurricane One and maybe even Hurricane Two. Watch out Newfoundland!

   Jillian and I are no strangers to tropical storms or hurricanes. We spent a portion of our ministry in the Bahamas where we had the opportunity to meet both Francis and Jean and both were hurricanes and both were within two weeks of each other. As we were moving from the Bahamas Hurricane Katrina passed over us on way to the Gulf.

   Someone once remarked to me; “It must be rather scary living in a part of the world where you can find yourself in the center of such devastating storms.” Hurricanes can be powerful and yes they can be scary. However, one has plenty of forewarning that a storm is on the horizon. We followed Leslie on our computer for well over a week before she arrived in Bermuda. There were times when Bermuda was dead on track for Leslie and there were other times when we were outside the cone. This weekend we were outside the cone as Leslie passed by about 180 miles to our east. What we are experiencing now are some heavy showers and a little wind but nothing (as yet) really severe.

   There are plenty of things we do in preparation for a coming storm. A few days before arrival you make certain that anything outside that could be blown around is brought safely inside. We stock up on groceries especially water in case stores remain closed for an extended period of time. Do our flashlights work? Do we have fresh batteries? What about candles and maybe some oil lamps? Many in Bermuda have generators to run fridges and lights in case of a power outage. The day before a storm is due you cover your windows with shutters or plywood. What you are guarding against is any wind driven object be thrown against your window. One also makes certain that you have a working radio which will allow you to listen to storm reports. Some Bermudians will, just prior to the storm go up on their roofs and put cover caps on the pipes that lead rainwater into your cistern. Remember, we depend on our rainwater for drinking water. If it is a powerful storm the wind can carry salt mist from the ocean and drop it over your house. No one likes salt in their water. As a final preparation you make certain that you have games for the children and books for adults. Finally, before going to bed you say your prayers; “Lord watch over us we pray during the storm.”

Rev. John

On My Way To Church

   I was reminded again just this morning on my way to worship of the importance of keeping fit! Jillian and I had to detour around several roadblocks because there was a bicycle road race taking place. Bermuda holds several such races during the run of a year. Main Street was blocked off; side streets were blocked off, two way traffic was made one way and so on! We came across several racers on our way to church. They appear to be physically fit, easy to see in their bright yellow suits and all appeared to be having great fun. This is definitely a sport where one has to be in shape and where the more money you have to spend on a bike the better. It looks to be a fun sport and the few spectators here and there and the flag men on the corner all seemed to be enjoying themselves. While I don’t have a problem with bicycle racing I do have a problem with it being held on a Sunday morning when churches schedule their weekly worship service. The blocked off streets not only make it more difficult for people travelling to church but and even more importantly it means that participants and those who organize such races are unable to attend church themselves. Why can’t such races be scheduled in the afternoon or evenings? Why do they have to be held on primary travel routes? Why do churches have to compete with bicycle races? We compete with sporting practices on Sunday and in many areas we compete with stores opening on Sundays. We compete with a society who would rather do almost anything else on a Sunday but go to church.

  Does the name Eric Liddell sound familiar to you? Eric Liddell was once described as the fastest man in the world. He competed in the Paris Olympics in the summer of 1924. Eric was put forward as the one who would win the gold in the 100 meters. When it came time for the tryouts Eric refused to run? Why? The tryouts were being held on Sunday. Eric informed all that on Sundays he would not be found on the track field but in church. He refused the 100 meter but said he would enter the 400 instead. Big problem! Everyone told him that he didn’t stand a chance. Not only had Eric never trained for the 400 but he had a most unorthodox running style. The Scotsman would run with his head tilted back looking skyward and with his hands flying out from his side. HE DIDN’T STAND A CHANCE. Shortly before the race Eric was handed a little slip of paper with the scriptural reference 1 Samuel 2:30; “He who honors Me I will honor.” Eric Liddell went on to win gold in the 400 meters. Later in life he be­came a mis­sion­ary to Chi­na, and was im­pris­oned there dur­ing World War II. It is said that Eric’s favorite hymn was; “Be Still My Soul the Lord is On Thy Side.” He is said to have taught this hymn to others in the pri­son camp (where he event­u­al­ly died of a brain tu­mor at the age of 43).

I only wish that the racers and runners that I meet on a Sunday morning on my way to church would devote an equal amount of time in being spiritually fit as they do in being physically fit. SUNDAY MORNING IS THE TIME TO GO TO CHURCH NOT RUN RACES.

  Did you know that Walt Disney before his name became a household word was told; “you can’t draw.” I like that story because it offers me hope in the pursuit of my goal and that is to write a book! In my university years a philosophy professor said to me while looking at my assignment; “John, it looks like your paper has gone through hard times.” Well, before my book is completed it will have gone through some hard times as well but I will complete it.

   The type of book I envision is not a theological masterpiece there are plenty of those out there already. No, my book will be far less serious in fact I hope that when people read my book they will be able to laugh and even perhaps to shed a few tears. I want to tell the story of my 39 years in the ministry. Yes, you heard me say correctly, 39 years!!!! From the day I first dragged my trunk across campus thinking to myself, “I will never make the seven years in front of me,”  to 43 years later as I contemplate retirement I want to share with the reader what it is like to be a minister. If you the reader have crossed my path during my ministry you may find yourself in my book. Were you the one I watched the flying saucer with or were you the one for whom I conducted your wedding and you are still married? Were you the person with whom I could let my hair down and say; “Look I have a problem.” Perhaps you were the one or you know the one whom I caught preparing to poach lobsters and a few days later I found a pot of cooked lobster on my back steps! Maybe you were the one who scolded me for not bringing as many people into the church as a previous minister with a drinking problem had brought in! Then again you might have been by the bedside with me as we watched and prayed over your dad who was dying. Were you my friend with whom I fished while sitting on a dock sipping tea from a silver tray service! Maybe just maybe you were in the crowd of over 30,000 who watched as I led a service of color dedication for the Calgary Highlanders. If you weren’t in the crowd I know one who was and that was her majesty Queen Elizabeth who stood 10 feet in front of me. I have met people from all walks in life. I treasure the memories of many and shudder at the memories of others. A counselor that I had while in university once said to me; “John, just because you are about to become a minister doesn’t mean that everyone is going to like you.” Dear reader; you maybe one of those who didn’t like me but I do hope that you will enjoy reading my book. Watch for it!

Where Have I Been?

   If you have been following our website for the past few weeks you have probably been wondering; “Where have I been?” “Why hasn’t the site been updated with a new sermon and radio program?” Well, let me share with you what has taken place behind the scenes. Come with me!

   For some time now my father-in-law has not endured the best of health. He is “up in years” but until recently he has been blessed with relatively good heath. All of this changed rapidly during the past few months. In early June my sister-in-law called to say that their dad was not well and that the doctor was only allowing for a few days at most. My wife Jill made immediate plans to leave the Island to join her sister and together they would care for their dad making his days as comfortable as possible. Two weeks after Jill left the Island I also flew to Ontario. There were two reasons for my trip. I will tell you of the second reason shortly. First, I wanted to see my in-laws for whom I have always had great respect. Jill’s father was going through a difficult time and I wanted to be there for him. We have always enjoyed great conversations and these last few days were no exception. Even though he was not in good health yet he still retained a sense of humor. Only recently on the phone he told me; “John, I’m not deaf you don’t have to yell.” Following a week with my in-laws I began to engage myself in the second reason for my trip. In anticipation of my retirement (the government in Bermuda just issued me with a second three year work permit with the notation “non renewable) Jill and I bought a house in Florida!

   I was in Ontario to transport our furniture in storage to our new home in Florida. With the help of close friends and my loving brother Jim we packed the large U-Haul with barely enough room for our suitcases. Jill was staying with her dad and Jim was my co-pilot for the long haul south. During the two and a half days it took to make the journey Jim and I relived many of our childhood experiences. Leaving Friday afternoon we saw our first palm tree just inside the Florida boundryline on Sunday afternoon! My brother was able to stay for a week to help with the unpacking. As for me I stayed a further week placing boxes in various rooms of our new house. I didn’t unpack too many for I knew well that whatever drawer, cabinet or closet I put things in it would probably be the wrong one and Jill would move it! Finally, last Thursday I too left for the Orlando airport to begin my journey back home. Jill has always been my navigator and without her I am lost. My plane was due to leave Orlando at 8:30am which meant that I had to return the rental car my 7:00am. I knew that I was in trouble when my GPS happily announced; “You have arrived; Wal-Mart is on your left!” “No Lord, it’s not Wal-Mart I want it’s the airport!” God is good and I did arrive in time for my flight home.

   Where do things stand as of present? I am late with my web update that’s for certain. Our home in Florida is full of furniture which needs to be rearranged with a woman’s touch. Finally, my father-in-law is still with us and his doctor has declared, “I am not going to make any further predictions,” which goes to prove that only the Lord above knows the date of our departure.

Blessings,

John

DIRTY HANDS

      Sound strange? Please read on. Last week I worked in my little garden. The best stress reliever around is to be found working alongside Mother Nature. Seeming problems melt away as we dirty our hands while turning sod, pulling weeds, spreading a little of the old fashioned fertilizer, making  rows, placing seeds in the furrows and then carefully covering the seed while saying a  prayer for sun, rain and growth. Periodic visits to a garden are an absolute necessity. Weeds need to be weeded and sometimes showers from above need a little assistance from a garden hose! The dirty hands and aching knees are more than compensated though by little green stems that struggle through the soil to grasp the sunlight above. If we are patient we will reap the benefits of fresh vegetables straight from the garden. When we grow it ourselves it tastes great. It may not be as pretty as the package in the store but we will have the satisfaction of having grown it ourselves even though we did get our hands dirty.

   When we look at our church we love to see signs of growth as well. We want to see a strong youth ministry, a growing Sunday School, an active Senior’s Program, an abundant supply of Fellowship Ministries, a growing Membership Roll, extensive Outreach Ministries and of course Sparkling Worship. There are two ways of finding the above.  Find a church where all these things are in place and prepare to settle in and enjoy yourself. This is  much like finding that perfect head of lettuce in your corner grocerystore. It looks nice in the package and you didn’t have to sweat or get your hands dirty. Enjoy! Now the second way of finding a Growing Church is by rolling up your sleeves, getting down on your knees and being prepared to get your hands dirty. Church Volunteers are God’s Gardeners who don’t mind working hard because God has given them a vision of what happens when people work together.

   Thank you to all our volunteers who don’t mind sweating and getting their hands dirty. Consider this an invitation to all to join the Gardener’s Club.

Your Pastor & Friend

John

Why Do We Go To Church?

Have your ever thought about that? Let me tell you about a church that I heard of on a CNN news broadcast. How would you like to go to this church? This was a church with a difference!

On arrival at this church you are greeted by the minister’s spouse who asks, “What kind of coffee can I get you?”

She is behind a Coffee Bar which is lit with neon lights that spell out “Heavenly Beano.” This is not your ordinary church coffee, oh no, this is the “Star Buck” variety coffee. You grab your coffee and instead of heading to your regular pew or sanctuary chair you sit at a table for eight.

While sipping your flavoured coffee, you listen to the organ prelude, no again, you listen to a jazz band instead! You finish your coffee in time for a sermon, no once more! You finish your coffee in time to enjoy a meal (hopefully you’ve come to church hungry). This church’s specialty is none other than pasta!!!

Now they do have a minister and she eventually finds her way to the front, to stand behind a pulpit – nope! She sits in a comfortable position and chats with people at the tables.

When interviewed, some of the diners and/or worshippers were asked what they thought about this method of worship. One responded by saying, “I think this is just wonderful! this is a place for all faiths.” The other responded with a comment that says a great deal about those who frequent such places. He said, “We feel really comfortable here.”

What’s wrong with all of this? Something is not right! Firstly, they feel that worship must not offend any faith, but be designed for all, and even for those who have no faith! Secondly, when they worship they must be comfortable.

According to the Bible this is not what God had in mind when He declared in Hebrews chapter 10:25: “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, as is the habit of some but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the day approaching.”

Worship is an absolutely essential element in the life of a Christian. While it is true that we can, and should worship in many places from our homes to the golf courses, there is however, no substitute for the weekly coming together of the saints. We need the fellowship, the challenge, and the spirit that an assembly of God’s people provides. We need to hear the word and be challenged by the word.

The next time you attend church look for the Bible, not the Lazy Boy Chair!

Pastor John

Do You Remember?

Do you remember your first Christmas gift as a child?  Well, it may not have been your first gift but it’s the one you first remember!  I remember mine.  I was about four years old and I received a plastic lunch box.  I even remember the colors, yellow and green.  What made it so special was that now I had a lunch box just like my older brothers and sister who took theirs to school.  We have come a long way from plastic lunch boxes to electronic toys.

Do you remember the little bubble lights in the shape of candles that one use to see on decorated trees? Then on the very top of the tree there was the angel that you plugged in?  I think the angel may still be around but I don’t see very many bubble lights.

Jill and I still hang our stockings on Christmas Eve and we look forward to the next morning.  The stocking I hang now looks pretty flashy in red with my name on it.  Hung stockings today are a far cry to the ones many of us remember;  a long grey work sock in which Santa would always put an orange in the toe.

The value of gifts has certainly changed over the years.  Of course one earned a lot less in years past but I always thought it was fun making a dollar go four ways!  A dollar would buy a package of razor blades for dad, a small comb for mom, bobby pins for my sister and maybe a small jackknife for my brother.

When our girls were small, of course like all others they wanted to get up while it was still dark and open their presents.  It was a real struggle to convince them to remain in bed until the sun came up. One year I came up with the perfect solution! I told them on Christmas Eve that “daddy is going to set an alarm clock in your room and as soon as it goes off you can get up.”  They thought that was great.  I didn’t tell them that it was set to go off at 8:00am not 6:00am!  It only worked for one year.

Do you remember reading the Christmas story from the Bible (as a family) before opening your gifts? What about the Sunday School Christmas Concerts with their plays, recitations, carols, and of course a visit from Santa.

A lot of things have changed over the years and this is to be expected, but one thing that has not changed is the reason for the season. We gather as family, friends and church community to celebrate the coming of the promised Messiah in the form of the Babe of Bethlehem.

May God bless you with happy memories of the past, may you retain some of your favorite traditions in the present, and may the Lord who greeted the shepherds long ago greet you with the same Good News today:  “Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!