As I write this posting, I am just about to begin my summer break, which has always been a time to rest and renew and reflect.  I anticipate the time off will allow me to slow down and comtemplate the year that has been with all of it's ups and downs.  The familiar words of Psalm 23 speak to my heart...He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.  (Psalm 23:2-3)

This has truly been an unprecedented time as we think about the impact of a global pandemic that still presents a world-wide threat.

I think about the impact Covid-19 has had on our family; I don't think I will ever forget the night Scott was taken to hospital, struggling to catch his breath or how scary it was to hear that Riley, at just 4-weeks old was Covid positive -- how grateful we are for the prayers of the saints which saw all of us through that time. 

Thank you for your prayers for Andrea.  Please continue to pray she will be able to carry the twins to tearm.

I think also of the way the pandemic has touched on our church family, the devestating manner in which this virus swept through McKinney Place and then Sunnybank Centre.  I think of friends who have left us during this season, some due to complications from the coronavirus -- how comforting to know that in Christ we will be able to see again, those we could not say 'goodbye' to this side of heaven.

As I look back, I marvel at the grace of God that allowed us to be able to quickly shift from in-person gatherings to an online presence.  Was it just a coincidence that Valley, through Karen's vision, had already began to record our services or Sandra's vision for a website had already been put in place? 

For me this has been a time of learning, be able to adapt and use the technology availalbe to maintain a virtual connect with our people.  We had to, in a matter only a couple of days, pivot to online simulated Worship Gatherings, then back to in-person gatherings, only to have to shift back again to being online for over six months and now back to gahering on-site once again.  We have had to deal with restrictions and limitations and protocols -- how blessed I've been to lead and serve a people who have been gracious and kind and supportive.  Thank you for following the directives of our governing officials, for exercising good judgment and loving concern for one another and our communties!

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)  See the Archived Message page for August 1, 2021 for a message on this text.

With all that has taken place over the past year and half and more recently with the wildfires and smoke that has threatend our region, it feels very much like we've been on a never-ending roller-coaster ride, but for me, through all that has happened my faith has more than sustained me.  God's providential care and protection, His grace and faithful love has been the one constant in my life; although I would be amiss if I did not mention how blessed I have been to have a life-partner and soulmate in Janice, who has shared this journey with me for almost 40 years.

In all of this I am reminded of the words from the prophet Isaiah...in quietness and trust is your strength (Isaiah 30:15)  and, those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31).

The writer of Hebrews reminds us...We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:19)

My dear friends at Valley, may you rest secure in this hope!

The exhortation in Scripture is clear...always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18)

We cannot escape the responsibility we have to pray for one another. 

On a daily basis, I receive prayer requests, my list seems never-ending and at times a challenge to 'manage'. To complicate matters for me, I have never been a 'daily devotions' person.  While I applaud readings such as Our Daily Bread or other devotional materials and often encourage their use, in my spiritual development I have found a more informal approach has served me well.  I like to read large portions of Scripture at a time and often find myself meditating on particular portions of what I read.  I do use a prayer list and seek to have a daily time of prayer, but I have also found those moments when I am just talking to the Lord to be times of rich fellowship with my God and a meaningful way to engage in prayer for others.

Several years ago I read The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence; it revolutionized by approach to prayer.  Brother Lawrence, struggled with set times of prayer but found his informal times of just talking to God as he served in the kitchen to be most meaningful to him.  My set times are an important discipline, as I work through a prayer list that includes my family, friends, our church family and ministry colleagues and partners, but so too are those moments throughout the day when I just share what's on my heart and mind with God.  In this, I have often been able to incorporate the prayers requests I receive from you and from our mission partners.

I always look forward to reading the updates and emails from our partners and often they will include times of prayer. To honor their ask for prayer, I will often pray as I read their updates or a specific email.  And very often I will respond, 'I have taken this matter to our Lord'.  I also find it encouraging when the Spirit of God brings these matters to mind and prompts me to pray again or to follow up on those things for which I have been praying.  This dynamic strengthens the bond we have in Christ, the partnership we have with our missionaries.

I think of the number of times over the past years when a note has come in from Asher or Don or Mike or Ken or the Baker's or Unger's or Duncan's; times when I have read with great interest what is happening in their lives and I have taken the opportunity to pray for them.  There have been seasons when these friends have faced enormous challenges as they work in a sometimes hostile environment.  It is both a responsibility and a joy to pray for their protection, for God's gracious provision, for a breakthrough or for strength to endure.  I have known the joy of praying for these servants of our Lord and the blessing of knowing they are praying for me.  I have seen God respond in answer to prayer and have had my own faith strengthened in those moments of simply whispering 'thank you, Father'.

In this season of our lives, as we recognize we may not have the physical strength and energy to do all that we once did, we can still pray for and encourage one another. One of the greatest joys we will know as we walk by faith is in doing just that, praying for the people we care about, cheering them on and sharing in the blessing of answered prayer.

Therefore, my friends at Valley...pray for each other. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  (James 5:16)  And take the time to let them know you are praying for them.  A simple, 'I'm praying for you today', just might be that which gives them the courage to go on, to move forward with a renewed sense of strength and hope and joy.  Remember, we never know when or how God may break through in answer to our prayers, but we do know He is faithful and good!

If you hang around Valley for any length of time, you will no doubt hear a phrase that is often repeated, 'doing life together.'   We were created to be in a deep and abiding relationship with our God and with one another.  The community of God’s people is a cornerstone of our faith.  Even a cursory glance at the New Testament will reveal the centrality of the local church, and as you study the early church you will quickly notice that they were committed not just to worshiping and serving together, but to doing life together. 
 
In Acts 2, we are given this description of the early church:  They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. (Acts 2:42-44,46-47)   And in Acts 4:32, we read: All the believers were one in heart and mind.  The early Christians understood there was a dependency on one other that created a powerful bond of love and unity in the church.  Sharing life together was not an option, but a necessity for survival.  
 
But how do you do life together in the midst of a pandemic, when physical-distancing and restrictions are designed to keep us apart for our own safety?  I have missed the face-to-face interaction that has been an essential part of who we are at Valley, but I have been blessed as we have found ways to stay connected. 
 
I think of the number of times people have shared what’s happening in their lives as we talked on the phone, texted or emailed, and the times we have prayed ‘together’ even though we can’t be physically together.  I have been blessed in the past few days to have had such interactions; it is a blessing to pastor a people who want to share what is happening in their lives.
 
Those times have been a rich part of this past year.  While there have been some ‘safe’ gatherings/ meetings, we have also had physical-distanced visits and Zoom calls and video connections to stay in touch.  Earlier this week, I had the joy and privilege of sharing in an online ordination and I participated in an online chapel service.  We had gone ‘old school, with cards and notes and long-distance phone calls, all a means to doing life together.
 
As we continue to navigate our way through this pandemic, as we do our part to keep one another safe, and seek to find ways to stay connected, I want to thank you for being the church to me and encourage you to keep doing what you have been doing to minister to one another.  Let us continue to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.  (Hebrews 10:24)

​I was just sitting here reflecting on how covid has changed me. What am I going to learn from Covid and keep, as we move forward, and what will I embrace from pre Covid days? There is one scripture that seems to have stayed in the forefront of my mind throughout the pandemic, so I’m going to write from that perspective.
 
Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fuelled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.  (Romans 12:11-13 - The Message)


Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fuelled and aflame. ​ The world had come to a stop, and I had more than enough time to stop and smell the roses. I needed outside contact, I needed motivation and purpose to keep going. How was I going to do this?

Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. It was time to set priorities and discover how to bloom where I was planted. It was a challenge.

Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.  This is what I did as I’m sure you did as well. We drew on our inner strength, found ways to be helpful, and learned some awesome creative ways to do those things that were important to us.

I looked up the cliche, "Stop and smell the roses." There were seventy-seven ways listed to say the same thing. I chose seven I could relate to; achieve fulfillment, amuse oneself, appreciate the beauty of life, appreciate the good things in life, be at ease, be at leisure, be in the moment.

My goal became achieving fulfillment while smelling the roses. I’m keeping this goal after the pandemic. Pre pandemic I think I was caught in a vicious whirlwind of achieving fulfillment no matter the cost. It’s more of an attitude change than anything else. My work ethic will be the same but I’ve come to realize that if God gives me a job to do, He will also give me the time and resources to do it. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  (Colossians 3:15-17)

Seems to me that sounds like “trust Me and take time to smell the roses”. I came to a much better understanding of what the church is during the pandemic. I saw so many in Valley choosing their area of interest and making a commitment to make that part of the bigger church continue to function. What we can do is find that small group that we fit into and know that there are other small groups within the church contributing their special attributes to make Valley unique and whole. We don’t have to do everything. In fact there are others, who because of their particular interest, are far more capable than I of doing certain things. We all need to find our passion and bring it to God for his use. Team up with others with similar interests and see what God will do. You don’t need to labour where your heart isn’t. The church has many hearts and everything will get done without you burning out.

The picture will vary for each of you individually. For me, here is what I have learned and where I am headed. I believe we all need personal, close relationships within the church where we can contribute our individual talents. We also need a way to incorporate our Christian values into our daily living so we are constantly evangelizing to our spheres of influence. In my case that would be my family, my church family, my friends and neighbours, and my internet connections. This last one seems strange but I feel it is very important. It is new and it holds great potential for evangelizing and supporting people from a distance. This will be my post pandemic priority.

The Tender Loving Care group (TLC) has been a learning process throughout the pandemic. We tried a variety of formats and it was frustrating at times. However, despite the fact that we did lose some members, we gained new ones. We learned that daily contact and bible studying daily together was a good combination. In fact so good we will keep this format post pandemic. There is a need for a better understanding of the computer and we will teach each other once we can meet in person. We will be ready to reach out to all parts of the world, no matter where we are planted. Isolation is not a part of our future.

Essentially, TLC morphed into what I believe is a small group; a group of people with common interests who meet together to support, encourage and pray for each other. In addition, the group is part of the church and we look forward to being able to join the larger body of Christ each Sunday. Your idea of what the church should be may be way different than mine. Whatever it is, there are others like you. Find them, join with them for support and encouragement and bring your passion into reality. There is room for all personalities and the church is richer for our differences.

I have to admit, I am a bit of a 'news junkie'.  When there is something of significance happening I tune in to get the latest updates; on election day or during times of upheaval or major world events.  So with the declaration of global pandemic and now months of ever-changing dynamics around this health crisis, and with all the drama in our nation and particularly south of the border, I have watched a fair amount of news coverage. 

Perhaps it is a symptom of months of restrictions and the 'powder keg' of social issues we have seen erupt, but it seems to me we live in a culture of complaint.  There is so much negativity, so much criticism and bickering, it's almost depressing to watch the news anymore.  Policticans are tearing each other down, special interest groups are demading their rights, and no matter what positive news comes along, somebody finds some reason to criticize or declare 'it doesn't go far enough'.  And what is perhaps most troubling is how easy it is to get drawn into this almost toxic environment.

From a faith perspective, we who serve the Lord Jesus are called to live life on a higher plane.  The Apostle Paul writing to the church in Philippi exhorts them:  Do all you have to do without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be God’s children, blameless, sincere and wholesome, living in a warped and diseased world, and shining there like lights in a dark place.  (Philippians 2:14 - J.B. Phillips translation)  Eugene Peterson in The Message captures the last part of this text with a call to be a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.

In a culture of complaint, we are called to be a people of gratitude.  Yes, we recognize there are times when we must raise our voice to express constructive criticism of those things that do not align with the principles we hold to in the Word of God, and it is okay to be troubled by some of the things we see in our world today.  But we must be careful not to get swept up in this 'complaining for the sake of complaining' mindset that seems to dominate our society.

Instead, we are commanded in the Bible to give thanks in all circumstances (I Thessalonians 5:13).  Colossians 2:7 exorts us to be overflowing with thankfulness and a chapter later we are told to:  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 

Over and over again, we are told to express our gratitude to our God.  The psalmist invites us to give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:4-5)  When we pause and reflect on all the blessings we have experienced from the hand of God, our most natural response should be that of worship and thanksgiving.  

As we move this week into the season of Lent and toward Easter Sunday, lets make this a time in which we consciously raise the bar as we choose to give thanks rather than complain, to offer encouragment rather than criticize and to lift up rather than tear down. May we be shining lights in the darkness of our day.

                                          Lights...camera...action!  Well, not exactly. 

With restrictions in place around in-person gatherings, we've had to adapt to provide a virutal presence as a means to stay connected.  I'm grateful that so many of you are accessing our Online Gatherings.  I've heard stories of those in a 'shared bubble' watching together and many of you have taken the time to offer encouraging comments.  

Some have asked about the 'behind the scene' workings of preparing for our simulated worship experince.  If you have been on-site when we record, you already have some insights into how we prepare, but for those who may wonder, let me in this posting, walk you through the processs.

As is the case if we were gatheirng in-person, our worship planning begins with an order of service draft; songs are chosen and other spoken parts such as prayers, readings and annoucements are identified. I have tried to put the same level of thought into the prepartion of these drafts, whether online or in-person.

I've been blessed to have a team of willing helpers with these tasks.  Each piece is recorded separtely and then edited into a larger file that includes the songs you see each week and the message.  John Unger has faithfully served as our 'camera man' -- thank you, John, it has been fun working with you, and we don't have tell anyone about all the 'bloopers'!

The preparation of the music is the most time-consuming part of the process.  Time is spent searching online for songs/ videos that we can use, that also comply with copyright laws.   Most of the videos need to have the words added, which we do through a software program, timing the words to appear at appropriate point in the video.  Some files are created using PowerPoint and converted to a video format.  Each song takes 45-60 minutes to create. I want here, to express my appreciate to my daugher Lisa for her help.  She has created dozens of songs for us -- and she's much quicker than her dad!   We have been able to do more over the last few months as I have learned about what resources and technology is available to us.  We now have a library of 130+ songs .

After creating / pulling songs from our files and recording the various pieces you see each week, I cut and paste and edit each song/ clip to create a video file.  This file then needs to be reformatted using another software program to reduce the size of the file in order to comply with size restrictions on our website.  From this same video file we also create an audio file to be posted.  Once the video and audio files are ready, I upload them to our website and YouTube.  This whole process takes a minimum of 2 hours.  

I understand as we all do, that the gathering is central to who we are as a people of faith and we all look forward to that time when we can worship together again.  As that may not happen for a few more weeks, I want to invite you continue to share in this online experience.  Thank you for adapting with us and for staying connected to each other.  Please pass along a picture or video greeting that we can post online to encourage one another and if you would like to stop by when we record, you're welcome to do so -- just follow our Covid protocols and don't all come at once!!

Please post a comment to let us know about your experience in embracing this 'new way' of connecting.

Let me begin this posting by saying 'thank you'!  Thank you for doing your part to practice good Covid protocols in order to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.  Thank you for you support and kind remarks regarding the recent interview I gave on Global BC in which I was seeking to present a more balanced perspective with regard to honoring public health orders, orders which have limited our ability to gather in-person.  I do understand that the gathering is fundamental to who we are as a church, that we are missing the joy that is ours to worship and fellowship together face-to-face.  Thank you for the sacrfices being made for the greater good.

In talking with many of you, I am encouraged and grateful for the way you are staying connected and seeking to support one another.  Some of us are feeling a measure of Covid fatigue, but we must continue to do the right thing until we are able to gather safely -- we need to continue to pray to that end.

This sense of feeling isolated, being tired of the restrictions in place and wanting to return to some semblance of normalcly is very real.  I look back over the past 10 months and would never imagined that we would be unable to gather for almost half of this time.  I think of friends who have gone home to be with the Lord and lament the inablity to have been able to come alongside them in their final days; in the inabitly to celebrate and honor their lives in community.  I think of friends who are even now dealing with health concerns or are just feeling lonely and while it is good to talk or pray with them on the phone, it's not quite the same as being able to sit with them.

With the current outbreak at Sunnybank, Janice and I are being extra-diligent, staying close to home, only being out when necessary. Even though I have worked from home for years, there is a sense of feeling cooped up a times.  And there of times when I lie awake a night thinking about and praying for the safety of my wife and children and for you, my church family.  I have watched, as I'm sure many of you have, all the events that have been unfolding in our nation and in the United States and sometimes I find myself angered by the blatant disregard for common courtesy and decency, the spirit of defiance I am seeing to often on the nightly news--there is just too much criticism and complaining, opposing and protesting; something within longs for a better day.

In all of this, the Word of God continues to bring rest to my soul.  There is great comfort in hearing God say in His Word...in quietness and trust is your strength (Isaiah 30:15)  There is a peace we experience in hearing Jesus say...Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

When wonder, how can we find our way forward, God says to us...Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path (Psalm 119:105).  And so we pray...Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long (Psalm 25:4-5).

I share all of this with you, to encourage you to stay the course, to hold on to the vision of that day when we can gather again, take off our masks, sing loudly with great joy, take the hand of one another and bow together in prayer and hug one another!  Until that day, lets keep doing our part to lift up the spirits on one another, to comfort and encourage and support each other and above all to pray for each other.

I am so very proud of all of you!  In all that we have had to endure, I am seeing the character, the strength, the very heart of Valley; you are an amazing group of friends, caring, compassionate and generous and I guess I just wanted to say 'thank you' -- I thank God for you.

I received a call late last night from our son.  Scott had just finished a 16-hour shift, Tiffany and Riley were asleep when he got home and he just needed to debrief.  The ICU unit at the hospital where he works was at capacity; Covid patients who would normally be in the ICU were being sent to the Covid unit, which was also full, over-flowing to another floor, and a make-shift unit has been set up in the parking lot. That staff would feel overwhelmed would an understatement.  Adding to the burden of caring for these patients was a phone call to a family member to inform them their loved one was near death.

With the rising death count at McKinney Place and across our province, the alarming numbers south of the border and the staggering case counts and deaths globally, it's fair to say that Covid-19 has dominated our world in 2020.  Add to this pandemic the injustice, violence and unrest we have witnessed, it is no wonder we are eager to put this year behind us.  As we anticipate a New Year and pause and reflect on the year that has been, we have to work extra hard to identify the blessings that have been mingled with all of this sadness.

As we do just that, pause and reflect, to do as the hymnwriter exhorts, to count our blessings, there is much for which to give thanks.  While many have lost their jobs and have struggled to make ends meet, because of the faithfulness of you, the people of Valley, my salary has not been affected and we have been able to meet all of our expenses and obligations. Janice as an essential worker has continued to work throughout the year, as have all of our kids.  We have a roof over our heads, clothes on back and food on the table, the very things we should never take for granted.

In March we celebrated the arrival of our grandson, who we were able to visit prior to all the travel restrictions being put in place.  We have know the grace and favor of our God as we have called out to Him when Scott was hospitialized with Covid.  We have experienced the love and support of family and friends and in many ways the bond we have in Christ has been strengthened through all that has happened.

For many 2020 will go down as the year of Covid. For those of us who walk with God, this has been a year in which we have seen His great faithfulness, mercy and love. As we dwell on this truth, His Word reinforces just how blessed we have been.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  (Lamentations 3:22-23)

You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15)

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in him.  (Nahum 1:7)

He is the God who leads us to green pastures and still waters, who restores our our souls and renews our hope (Psalm 23:2-3; Isaiah 40:31).   He is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1).  The Lord watches over all who love him (Psalm 14:20).

Friends, for we who know God, who are in a covenant relationship with Him there is always a reason to give thanks, to praise our God for HIs abundant goodness.  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 106:1)

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2)

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says...in quietness and trust is your strength (Isaiah 30:15).

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2)

May you rest in the shadow of the Almighty as we journey together in 2021.

Happy New Year!

At the very core of the Christian faith is an element of sacrifice; giving up our rights for the benefits of others.

The supreme example of this truth is found in the Lord Jesus.  The Apostle Paul speaks of His sacrifice in his words to the church at Philippi:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself   by becoming obedient to death--even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8)

Paul preceeds these words by exhorting the church to:  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  (Philippians 2:3-4)

As I have watched in recent weeks as a number of churches have defied the directives of our Provincial Health Officer by opening their doors for in-person gatherings, I have to admit such actions are troublesome to me.  While the Bible does allow for a measure of civil disobedience when the actions of our governing bodies violate the Word of God, the actions of these churches do not, in my opinion, meet this threshold. 

In Acts 5:29 Peter declares:  We ought to obey God rather than men.  His words were in response to a directive to stop preaching the truth about Jesus.  Such a directive does violate the Word of God and Peter is right in defying such an order.  Our health and government officials are not shutting the doors of churches to oppress them but to protect them and our communties.  Communities of faith may be correct in declaring we have a Consitutional right to gather but when does the Constitution trump the Bible.  The Word of God is clear, we are to honor those who govern us. 

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.  Give to everyone what you owe them:  If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:1-7)

Interestingly, I have not heard any leader or member in these churches who are taking such a stand, reference this text from the Bible, but rather demands to protect our Constitutional rights.  Something in all of this is not aligning for me.  Even more troubling is how the church is being viewed.  When neighbors and those outside the church use words like 'irresponsible' and 'selfish' to describe the actions of these churches, what does that do for the witness of the church?  Every community of faith has been negatively affected by the actions of a few.  I cannot help but wonder is this really honorable to our Lord?  Our Savior's name had been dragged through the mud and I just cannot see anything honorable in all of this.  

Instead I see the church drawn into controversy, strife and division; these things are not of God.  The devil in hell must be laughing and the heart of our God must be grieved.

I know the gathering of the church is absolutely fundamental to our faith, but friends we are abiding by these directives to protect one another, to protect our communties and most importantly to honor our Lord.  The most-loving, Christ-like way of responding is NOT to gather, to protect the church, our families and the the broader community. At Valley, we will do our part, we will stay on the solution-side and find ways to adapt until we can gather again.

Thank you for doing that which is right and honorable and that which sends a positive message that we care about our communties.

Stay safe and stay connected, until we meet again.

Like many of you, Covid-19 has created a new way of connecting, communicating and learning for me.  Over the past few months I have engaged in numerous Zoom meetings, virtual and simulated gatherings and  learning opportunies via online links.  Very recently, I watched an online session by Earl Lewis, a Professor of History at the University of Michigan; an address he entitled, Leading in an Age of Chaos and Change: Building a Community of Grace.  

In his address he described 2020 as the blending of the 1918 pandemic with the 1968 social and political unrest, wrapped in the 2008 econcomic collapse.  One such crisis can throw our lives into chaos.  To be bombarded on several fronts is almost overwhelming.  Our hearts and minds have been overloaded with fear and uncertainty, hatred and violence, more that we were ever created to endure. 

What is missing in our world today?  In a word, 'GRACE'.

The Bible says, there is a grace in our lives because of his grace (John 1:16 - J.B. Philips New Testament).  And because of that grace, we can and must lead the way in building communities of grace.  Lewis notes that a grace-filled community demands multliple architects. We have both the opportunity and responsibility to be conduits of HIs grace, perhaps more so than at any other time in our lifetime.  This is a season for many of us, who are in the third third of our lives, to be difference makers as we manifest patience and understanding, caring and compassion in the face of fear and uncertainty; to show to a hurting world that God has a better way, to pray for grace and love to triumph over fear and anxiety.

Solomon asks:  What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless (Ecclesiastes 2:22-23).

Peter reminds us, there is another way, a better way to face the uncertaines of our day:  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 4:6-7).

And Paul exhorts us to not become weary in doing good...as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6;9-10).

We all have a role in building and sustaining a grace-filled community.  It is why, in good times and bad, many of us find ourselves turning to that old standby -- born of a different era, challenged by a different code of ethics, framed by a world of cruel encounters and confrontation...'Amazing Grace how sweet the sound'.  (Earl Lewis)

Grace, it can make all the difference!  In the words of former U.S. President Barak Obama:  May we find ourselvs worthy of that extraordinary gift as long as our lives endure.

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
                                                                                                                                                  Psalm 57:9-11

With all the attention focused on a global pandemic, world-side unrest and a provincial election, it is not suprising that the anniversary of the church has quietly come upon us, catching us somewhat off guard. For those of you who have shared in the 30-year history of the church, I can only imagine the memories you must hold in your hearts as you reflect on the early years, all the changes through the years and yet are mindful of the one constant, God's faithfulness. 

For those of us who have been part of the more-recent history of the church, we too recognize God's hand of blessing, past and present and because the essential nature of God does not change, we can confidently predict His faithfulness will continue to guide us in the days ahead.  How blessed we are to be able to rest in HIs faithful love  and to know whatever tomorrow may bring, we are secure in Him; that we can claim His promise to us.  You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you (Isaiah 26:3).

As I reflect back on the 13+ years we have been at Valley and the blessings that have been mine as the pastor here, it's not so much any particular event we have experienced together that stands out in my mind  (there have been many such events/ gatherings), but rather the people that we have shared the journey with us. Even as I type these words the names and faces are flashing across my mind and it brings to me a smile.  What makes the church such a wonderful is experience is not the building we have, although we are incredibly blessed to have the structure on Black Sage road as a place to call 'home'. It is not the gatherings in and of themselves that make the church so special; although we have had some wonderful times of worship and fellowship.  It's not even the blessings we have shared as God has surprised us with His grace and kindness and has allowed us to bless others through the ministries of the church.  What is most heart-warming is to have shared the presence of God among us, to see Him at work and experience more of His faithful love over the years.

As we celebrate this coming Lord's Day and move toward the season of Thanksgiving, I want to encourage you to pause and reflect on all of God's goodness to us as a church and to you and as you do, I ask you again, 'what do you say'?

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
                                                                                                                                                      Psalm 36:1

In Romans 13:1, we read: Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

We don't always have to agree with our leaders, in fact, there are times, when we will not agree with the their policies or practices, but we are still called to respect our leaders and pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1-2).  There may be a place for civil disobedience when policies and procedures violate the Word of God, but for the most part we are to be a people who obey the lands of the land.

In this time of a global pandemic, when we see many disgregarding the advice and directives of our governing leaders and health care officials, I want to commend you, the people of Valley, for cooperating with and following those measure implented to mitigate the spread of this virus; for doing your part to help keep one another and our communties safe.  Thank you for following the protocols in place as we gather each week for worship; for you understanding regarding decisions to restrict the sharing of communion elements, the sharing of meals together, limiting our fellowship and small group/ in-home gatherings.  And thank you for your faithfulness in financially supporting the local church and the work of our Lord.  Because of your faithfulness we have been able to meet all of our obligations and cover all of our expenses to date.

We all recognize this has indeed been unprecidented; for many of us we have never experienced anything like this before.  We as a Leadership Team and people at Valley are seeking to navigate our way through uncharted waters.  I want to commend our Elders and Deacons and all of you for doing your part to make things work as we have regathered for worship and as we cotinually wrestle with how best to minister to one another during this time.  Thank you for caring and for praying.  

I received an email from a collegue who offered this insight:  More than ever, church leaders have been feeling the pressure of leadership, especially now in this difficult global season.  At first glance, COVID-19 cancelled all kinds of meetings and calendars cleared.  It looked like you suddenly had all kinds of time.  But then you soon discovered the "new normal" actually took more effort than ever.  Some in the circles you lead are calling for more action, others are calling for less.  Add to that the increased demands, restrictions, and expecations of this season and leaders are feeling deeply tired, taxed, drained in their emotional reserve and for some, isolated.  I have felt this, and perhaps you have as well.

More than ever we need to support and encourage and cheer one another on as we continue to walk this uncertain pathway.  As we seek to be the church to one another and in our communties, I want to encourage you with these words from the Apostle Paul:  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:9-10).

As a church family at Valley, we join with many across our nation, in the United States and around the world to pray for God’s mercy and grace into the lives of so many who are broken and deeply wounded; who are experiencing grief and sorrow.  We lament the brutal and senseless death of Mr. George Floyd and many others who have died unjustly. We know that such injustice and division grieve the heart of God and stand in contrast to His love and His Word.
 
We pray for comfort for those mourning.  We pray for forgiveness, healing and reconciliation--those things that reflect the truth we find in the Holy Scriptures; that reflect God’s heart to all mankind.  We affirm the truth of Colossians 1:20 that reminds us that God, through the Lord Jesus was pleased to reconcile to himself all things…by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 
 
We, as the people of God reject inequality as being contrary to God’s will and ways.  We recognize this as a problem not only beyond the borders of our nation but within our borders as well.  As we listen to the voices of minority groups in our land, we cannot dismiss the truth that racial prejudice affects many Canadians.  We affirm God’s desire to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.  (Ephesians 1:10)
 
We confess and declare the truth of the Bible that all human beings are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and as such, everyone has value and dignity.  Further, we confess and declare that there is no place for the kind of hostility and division that is so prevalent today.  While we condemn any abuse of power, we also recognize that there are those in authority over us (Romans 13:1-7).  They deserve our respect and cooperation.  We give thanks for police officers, firefighters and first responders who serve with honor and routinely put their lives on the line to protect and serve our communities.
 
Our commitment at Valley is to be a people and place where all are treated with Christ-like love, and where we honor and serve one another as we are exhorted to do in the Bible (Romans 12:10; Galatians 5:13). To this end, we will listen and learn that we may be part of the solution and agents of blessing in a hurting world.  Where we have fallen short, we ask for forgiveness.  We accept our responsibility to embrace and proclaim the truth of the Gospel and its implications regarding racial diversity, for we are all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
 
We humble ourselves and seek God’s wisdom and guidance, for He has said, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.     (2 Chronicles 7:14)

As Christians we hold as sacred and precious the Bible, the Word of God, given to us to show us how to live; how to be rightly related to our Creator and His creation, including one another.  The Bible is for us, our source of authoritative truth, it guides our lives day-by-day.  In the pages of the Bible, God is revealed to us, His faithfulness, compassion and love, as well as His holiness, justice and righteous anger -- in it, we see the heart of God.

Early in the storyline of the Bible we read:  Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. (Genesis 6:5-6 - NKJV)  The turning away from God, from the ways of God and from the truth of His Word, the evil and injustices in our world today must grieve the heart of God, as in the days of Noah.

The Bible tells of a time when Jesus approached the city of Jerusalem...as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it. (Luke 19:41 - NKJV)  He wept because things were not the way they were supposed to be.  Once again the people had turned away from God, they were not in a place where they could receive His message of peace and grace.  I think Jesus would weep today as He sees what is going on in our nation, in the nation to the south of us and in countries around the world.  Today Jesus weeps for a world divided by hatred, racism and injustice; where instead of celebrating and embracing diversity, we treat one another with contempt.  The manifestation of what can only be labelled as pure evil grieves the heart of our Lord.

As a boy, growing up about 80km from Detroit, I remember the images of the riots of 1967, as the city burned.  I remember the unrest a year later when Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy  were assassinated.  50 years later, the streets still burn, has anything really changed?  People are still gripped by fear and a deep-seeded anger, fueled by a longing for change.   We are long way from Dr. King's dream.

In 1996 I had the privilege of attending the Promise Keepers Clergy Conference in Atlanta where nearly 40,000 pastors gathered to worship and hear from God.  At one point, the racial discord in the nation and in the Church was addressed, and in a powerful moment of healing and reconciliation men of different color and race joined hands as we sang with Steve Green, 'Let the Walls Come Down'.  (See the link on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTISgin4_Ww)  Today, we need to pray again, 'let the walls come down'.

A few years ago, Janice and I were part of a Leadership Summit in Chicago.  In the closing session we shared communion with church leaders from around the world. It still remains in my mind one of the most powerful images of what heaven will be like, when...a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues (Revelation 7:9) will declare with one voice the praises of our God.
Today, we need to pray for more of heaven here on earth.

As Christians we are called to carry a message of healing and grace and mercy, a message of reconciliation and peace to a hurting world. The Bible says....if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14).  There is no government program that can heal the hatred and violence and racial divide we are seeing today. Only God can change a hate-filled heart; the heart of God is reconciliation and peace.

So my friends at Valley, pray for peace, pray for reconciliation, pray for healing, for good to triumph over evil.  Pray for calm and wise leadership.  Pray for the Church, that we might be His instrument to bring grace and hope to our world.  Pray the words of Jesus in John 17:  I pray...that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:20-23)

We have all seen the images from this past weekend of thousands gathering in public places and ignoring physical distancing guidelines; images that make me uneasy.  We have seen and heard the messages of protest; some that seem selfish and reckless.  We understand the restrictive measures we are under have tested the resolve of some Canadians and many around the world.  We recognize the impact Covid - 19 has had on our economy, that there are many who are not working, who are struggling to pay their rent and to put food on the table, to care for their families.  I see all of this and wonder how do we respond as a people of faith, as the Church?

While I appreciate the concerns being expressed as we as a province and nation try to find the balance between protecting the health of our citizens and providing for our economic stability, I have to confess those images and statements that put individual choice above the well-being of others are to me disturbing.  I see the signs, 'my body, my choice'; I hear the comments, 'I have a right to work' or what I would consider a careless and reckless statement that 'I'm not afraid of the virus', and I want to shout, 'it's not just about you'!  We as citizens of this province and as Canadians, have a responsibility to one another.

Certainly this is a core value of the Church, a value rooted in the Word of God.  The Apostle Paul would write to the church in Philippi:  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)  I may be feeling well, but I have a responsibility to you, the people of Valley and to my wife and the residents she serves at Sunnybank Centre, and to our communities -- a responsibility to abide by the directives in place and to exercise wisdom in the choices I make.  James writes:  Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  (James 3:13)

Like many of you, I long to gather to worship once again.  As we discuss this as a Leadership Team and people, this value of being responsible in our choices is a critical factor in the decisions we make.  Please pray for wisdom and guidance, that any decision to re-gather is balanced by care and concern and by good practices that protect one another. 

Ambassador Matthew Rycroft in an address to the Untied Nations Security Council makes this observation: How a society treats its most vulnerable – whether children, the infirm or the elderly – is always the measure of its humanity. Even more so during instability and conflict. When a society begins to disregard the vulnerable and their rights, instability and conflict will only grow.  Is it any wonder we are seeing greater levels of instability and conflict today?  

May it be said of Valley and churches across our nation that we were of shining example of love and care during one of the darkest times in the history of our nation; that we looked to God for His protection and provision and that we loved one another deeply.  My friends at Valley, as we continue to walk through this together, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)