When I think about what Christmas means to me, the words of the prophet Isaiah immediately come to mind...unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.  There is something wonderful about the traditions we embrace as we celebrate each year, but for me the it is all first and foremost about the Lord Jesus.

Christmas means...

...retelling the story of Jesus -- coming back again and again to Luke chapter 2.

...gathering for our Christmas Eve service.

...embracing our family traditions -- watching Janice decorate as she listens to Christmas music.

...the anticipation of the kids 'coming home' -- just being together.

​...a time to slow down and reflect and give thanks for all of God's blessings.

From Janet Armstrong

Christmas means...

...frankincense the smell, so thick and strong overwhelming with warmth and comfort i didn’t understand.

...sitting in the old wooden high back pews of the little Church of my memory.

...looking upon the Nativity with baby Jesus -- His love, is what i didn’t understand. --now i do --that is Christmas to me.

From Edna Barisoff

Christmas means...

...celebrating the birth of Jesus -- remembering that God loves us so much that he sent His son Jesus that we by faith will have everlasting life.

...spending time with family, to share our love for others and to help other’s in need.

...singing and listening to Christmas Carols.

...attending the Valley Christmas Eve Service with family.

From Lia Pinske

Christmas is a very meaningful time for Bob and me -- it begins with putting our nativity scene on our lawn for all to see who drive by!

Jesus is the reason for the season and that to us is the most important reason for celebrating!

It’s about church, family, lighting up our homes and decorating!

The first few years of my life, we celebrated Sinter Klaas as they did in Holland on December 5th. When I got to school age my Mom and Dad added Christmas on the 25th, but still kept the Dutch tradition!

We pray everyone has a Blessed Christmas!.

It is a phrase we heard often last year at this time, "it's a different Christmas".   Another surge in the coronavirus had led to more restrictions, and to what was truly unprecedented in our lifetime, as we were unable to gather in-person to celebrate Christmas.  Who would have thought then, that year later we would still be saying, "it's a different Christmas"?

The newest variant of this virus, that has gripped the world since early 2020, once again threatens our Christmas traditions and celebrations.  While we hope and pray we will be able to continue to gather together with family and friends and as a community of faith, we also recognize the unknown nature of this variant may yet lead to more measures to protect us--not a place any of us want to go, particulary this time of the year.

For Janice and me, this is indeed "a different Christmas".  While there is great hopefulness with Noah and Luke, there is still a cloud of uncertainty about where they will be on Christmas morning; perhaps still in the NICU at Women's Hospital in Vancouver, perhaps in the NICU at Kelowna General Hosptial, or dare we even think, maybe even 'home for Christmas'?  We continue to covet your prayers to that end!  We celebrate the progress they have made and rejoice in God's grace to them, but we know Christmas this year will be different.  Add to that, still unanswered questions about a personal health matter, and we must confess Christmas just isn't the same this year.

But...in the words of the song writer, I still believe in Christmas, that God so loved this broken world, He sent His only Son (John 3:16).  He left his home in heaven to make heaven my home; my Emmanuel is with me and I'll never be alone. I still believe in healing for the weary and the hurt; and in a world that's so divided, I still believe in peace on earth.  I still believe that love is strong enough to conquer hate; and in a world that won't believe it, I still believe enough to say, God so loved this broken world He sent His only Son. (I Still Believe in Christmas by Anne Wilson)

Every year at Christmas, regardless of what is happening in the world around us, we come back to the wonder and beauty of the baby born in Bethlehem; to the awe-inspiring truth of the incarnation; that God sent His Son to redeem lost mankind, to reconcile us to the Father.  The Christmas story reminds us, we are loved by God. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10)

For me, if I can bask in the wonder of such love, if I can hold on by faith to the truth that I am the beloved of the Father, if I can rest in the peace and joy I find in Christ, then "a different Christmas" cannot steal away the hope that is ours in Jesus Christ.  

We might not find much in this world to believe in, but...I still believe in Jesus, the name above all names. (I Still Believe in Christmas by Anne Wilson)

May God help us to believe, and in believing may we be seized again by the wonder and joy of Christmas!

It has been said, 'a picture is worth a thousand words'.  When I see this picture of Luke, holding tightly to Andrea's hand, it is, as a friend wisely observed, a reminder that we must hang on to the Giver of Life for our every breath.  

For a month now, these little guys have fought and they continue to fight. Every day they hold on to life is a small victory as their bodies struggle to develop.  THANK YOU for joining in this fight; your prayers matter!

Thank you for your words of encouragement to Janice and me and to Andrea and Jason.  Every day they make their way to the NICU, they see the lights flashing, the alarms beeping, they watch closely the monitors.  To see your little ones struggling, to see their oxygen levels or heart rate fall dangerously low, to watch the dedicated staff move quickly to respond and wonder will they rebound, is heart-wrenching.  As a dad I just want to hold them and reassure them 'it's going to okay', but that isn't possible right now; and so we trust and pray!

The Bible encourages us to, Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.  (James 4:8)  Through all the ups and downs of these past few weeks, our God has been gracious and kind, His faithful love a constant source of strength and joy.  We have also found a source of great blessing in sharing this journey in community, with friends who have stormed the gates of heaven, interceding for Noah and Luke.  THANK YOU for praying!

Right now, we are holding on by faith, our joy tempered by the reality they are still fighting for their lives.  By faith we are looking to that day when they are strong enough to leave the NICU and go home, to that day when they will come to Valley and I can say, 'I would like you to meet my grandsons, Noah and Luke'.  We covet your continued prayers!

The words of the God, as recorded by the prophet Isaiah strengthen and encourage me:  For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you. (Isaiah 41:13)

It is a common experience among all believers.  There are times in our lives when we find ourselves focusing on a particular text of Scripture or the words of a song.  For me, this is a season when I have been reflecting on and holding onto, the words of Isaiah 30:15...in quietness and trust is your strength. 

This is a time when I need to be reminded that, The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. (Psalm 27:8)   This is a season when I just need to know...Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2)

In some ways, it feels like my heart and mind are being bombarded on many fronts, but in those moments when I draw near to God, I am able to find a measure or rest in the One who has promised to lead me to green pastures and beside still waters, who promises to refresh my soul. (Psalm 23:2-3)

I am finding a source of strength and encouragement from my Lord, but also from God's people.  One of the blessings of being part of a community of faith is the support we receive from one another; how blessed we are to share life together with our friends at Valley.  Thank you for upholding us in prayer, for you prayers for Noah and Luke and Andrea and Jason; this is a time when we are keenly aware of just how dependant we are upon the prayers of the saints.  I think here of the words of the Apostle Paul to Philemon...Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you...have refreshed my heart. (Philemon 1:7) 

With all that is happening in my own life, our family and in the lives of our people at Valley, I am finding a measure of rest, assurance and confidence in the simple words of the hymn writer: 

Be not dismayed whate'er betide, God will take care of you. 

Thro' days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you. 

No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you.  

Over and over the refrain has been playing in my mind: God will take care of you, Thro' every day, o'er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you.

In this I rest secure.

It is a message I have received several times over the past few days, a message that goes something like this:  'Welcome back, I trust you had a good break, that you are rested and refreshed'. While I am grateful for the gift of some time off and I did have a chance to shut down and put aside ministry responsiblitites for a season, and we did enjoy some time with all of our kids together for the first time in two years, to be honest, I'm tired -- the kind of tiredness that is both physical, mental and spiritual.

I don't know about you, but just watching the news these days can be draining!  As a global pandemic continues and Covid numbers in our province, especially in the Interior Health region remain a concern, with a long and devestating wildfire season also impacting our region, a Federal election campaign, with all of its unrest and division, with deep concerns around racial tension and inequality in our nation and around the globe, natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and typhoons, and the conflict in Afghanistan, the human toll is heart-wrenching.

We have been blessed to be able to stay close and engaged with each other over the past 18 months, but it still feels like Covid is hanging over us like a cloud and we are not yet able to engage fully as we might wish we could.  I celebrate the character and strength of Valley that has been revealed through this season but sometimes it just feels like 'too much'.  

Add to all this, a deep concern we have for Andrea and Jason and the unborn twins she is carrying, with a signficant risk for a premature delivery and the possibility she may lose them, you can understand why I am feeling tired; perhaps you are as well.

It is such a blessing to know that God sees and God cares, and He invites us to find rest in Him; that He is the God who makes me lie down in green pastures, who leads me beside quiet waters, who  refreshes my soul. (Psalm 23:2-3)

In Psalm 4, David give us this promise of rest: In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)

David writes in Psalm 62:  Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.  Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. (Psalm 62:1-2,5)

Asaph offers us these words of encouragment from Psalm 73:  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  (Psalm 73:6)

To His people, God gives this promise through the prophet Jeremiah,  I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. (Jeremiah 31:25)

Perhaps you have a verse that God has used to encourage you; please share it with us!

For me, as we move into a new ministry year I am choosing to hold on to these words, this promise from God:  My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14)  May we find rest and strength and hope as we walk together with our Lord into the fall season; I am grateful to share the journey with you.

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!

Recently, as we gathered for prayer on Saturday morning, four of us entered into a spiritual conversastion in which one of our Elders shared from his reading of the Book of Ezekiel.  His comments focused on a four-word phrase that is repeated 21 times in Ezekiel, "Then you will know."  The phrase is used 13 more times in the Old Testament and twice in the New Testament Gospel of John.  

The phrase is almost always followed by a declaration of God's sovereignty.  

Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord. (Ezekiel 13:9)

Then you will know that I am the Lord your God. (Exodus 16:12)

Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other.
(Joel 2:27)

The phrase is almost always preceeded by a manifestation of God's presence, His power, His blessing or His judgement, particulary noted in Ezekiel's writing.

I will not look on you with pity; I will not spare you. I will surely repay you for your conduct and for the detestable practices among you. ‘Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ (Ezekiel 7:4)

The inhabited towns will be laid waste and the land will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 12:20)

I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.
(Ezekiel 37:14) 

In Exodus 6:7, the first time we see this phrase being used in the Bible, God says...I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.

In Joshua, God says to the people...When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.  (Joshua 3:3-4)

Isaiah writes...Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed. (Isaiah 49:23)  This has been my experience through all the ups and down on this journey of faith; though there may be some challenges, even heartaches along the way and there will be times when the way forward seems unclear, God is yet faithful and in putting my hope in Him, I am not disappointed.

Jesus said...When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he. (John 8:28)  From the suffering and shame of the cross, He is revealed as Savior and Lord, so that we can know the Father through Him.  He also tells us in John 8:32...Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Aren't you glad that He has made truth known to us and that through that truth we are free indeed!

One of the great purposes of the written Word, the Holy Bible, is to reveal God to us so that we know that He is the Sovereign Ruler of All.  May the Word become more precious to you in this season of life, so that you will know there is a God and He loves you; that you are in a covenant relationship with Him and His desire is to break into your live and lead you in ways that are consistent with His very best for you; that He will protect and provide for you and when your time on this earth comes to an end, He will lead you home.  The you will know for all of eternity He is the Lord your God!

​Do you have a memory that gives you goosebumps every time you think of it? I do. It was 2004 and my life changed in an instant.

Vic, my husband had just been released from the hospital and we went by the pharmacy to pick up his prescriptions. While standing in line to pay, Vic said he didn’t feel well. He sat down at the nearby blood pressure machine and took his blood pressure, but as I watched him I could tell he was going unconscious. I reached out to grab him as he toppled to the floor and thankfully was able to protect his head. As I removed the blood pressure cuff I noticed everything read 0.  By now the pharmacist had had someone call an ambulance and he and I started first aid.

What I am about to relay to you sounds like I was in a time warp or other dimension and perhaps I was, but I believe Jesus revealed himself to me exactly where I was in the middle of the pharmacy in Oliver. He came along side of me in my moment of need. Everything was happening quickly but for me there was a second dimension. I remember thinking “God help us”, but later learned that I had verbalized the thought out loud for everyone to hear. I heard someone praying and looked around to see who, but saw no one praying. In retrospect I believe Jesus was there praying for me.

The pharmacist could not get a pulse and I could not detect any breathing. I had just completed a refresher first aid course and should have done better than I did, but then perhaps that wasn’t meant to happen. Just as I leaned forward to start compressions Vic went into convulsions. I panicked and forgot everything I had learned. Instead I grabbed Vic by both shoulders and started shaking him rather forcefully while yelling at him that he couldn’t die.

​Jesus was praying and the ambulance was on the way. Vic reached up his hand and touched my cheek. He was alive! We rolled him into the recovery position and the ambulance crew took over shortly after that. As I looked at the pharmacist he was staring at me and finally said “Never in my life have I seen first aid like that.” It certainly wasn’t the first aid St. John Ambulance had taught me but it was the first aid my upbringing had taught me and it worked! The doctor later told us that my shaking Vic jolted his heart and caused it to beat again.

Every time I think of that day I don’t think of the trauma. I remember that split second when I cried out to God for help and Jesus was immediately beside us praying. That gives me goosebumps.

Psalm 50:15 God says, “Call me when trouble comes.  I will help you, and you will honour me.”

My goodness, there have been so many challenges that we have faced recently! Forest fires have caused loss and heartache, unmarked graveyards have been found at Indigenous Residential Schools, Covid health issues have swept around the globe, and wait, there's more -- just this week 5 people died when a construction crane collapsed in downtown Kelowna. There are so many heavy burdens, so much grief and loss, and yet we are assured that we can find an inner peace when our minds are set on Christ, because we trust in Him. 

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.  
(Isaiah 26:3)

On the other hand, It is so good to be able to get together with people again! I have had numerous opportunities to meet with people since the Provincial health orders were recently relaxed. In the last few weeks I have had the privilege of officiating two community weddings and a hockey related baptism. It was so wonderful to gather at a crowded Kelowna beach (Rotary beach) and baptize a junior hockey player. With family and friends gathered on the shore, I was honoured to conduct a baptism in that setting. After all, baptism is a public declaration of our faith in Christ, and it sure was that day! What a significant spiritual marker in that young man's life! 

Lorraine and I look forward to being at Valley with you all on Sunday August 29th. We always enjoy wonderful times of encouragement, worship and fellowship with the Saints on Black Sage Road! 

The recent passing of a childhood friend and our look at Caleb's story in our Sunday morning teaching series from the book of Joshua, has led me to a time of reflection about my journey of faith and the next season of my life; about how I will finish the race set before me -- a race that began 61 years ago.  I have been walking with my Lord for 44 years, since he intercepted my life as a 17 year-old.  Janice and I have been married for almost 40 year, our three kids are all in their late 20's or early 30's, and we're grandparents now.

The passing of my friend, Allan, took me back to my preteen and early teen years; to a more carefree time when we couldn't wait to get outside, to play a game of road hockey or bike over to the local park to start up a baseball game.  In many ways, those days were much simplier.  Allan was the same age as I am and his death seemed to usher in a new season of my own journey.

In my 20's I rounded the first bend with lots of energy.  We had each other, we had our dreams and God was leading.  I was during this time that our grandparents passed away and both our dads were gone by the time I was 27.  We spent a long time on the back stretch, raising a family and seeking to be faithful to God's call to serve in the local church.  We came out of that season abundantly blessed.  We both sense we are in a different season now; there is not denying the passing of time.

For me, it feels like I'm rounding the bend and the homestretch is in from of me.  I don't see the finish line yet, but I know it's out there somewhere and myjob is to keep running until I cross that line; to finish the race set before me, to finish well for the honor and glory of my Lord.

To do that, I'm going to need the same spirtit as Caleb, his passion and purpose.  I need to reslove to never stop trusting the Lord, to never let go of the promises of God and never stop serving the Lord.  And, as long as I stand in the pulpit at Valley, I am never going to stop encouraging you, no matter what your age, no matter where you are in the race of life to keep going strong from the Lord, to serve Him with all the strength He gives.  May Valley be a place where we cheer one another on, until we hear the words we all long to hear, well done, good and faithful servant.

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)

I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. (Psalm 146:2)

Blessed is the one who who trusts in the Lord. (Psalm 40:4)

While I have not been blessed with any artistic creativity. I consider myself a creative thinker,  For most of my adult life, the tools of my trade have been words and over my ministry career I have often written articles, blog postings and occasionally a new verse to a familar hymn or a poem.

In preparing for our Communion Gathering this week, I found my mind returning to Calvary, to the cross of the Lord Jesus, reflecting on all that was accomplished there.  I was also drawn to the familar words of David's 23rd Psalm.  While lying away one night I began to compose a poem in my mind and the next morning wrote this piece, entitled When I Look to Calvary. 

When I look to Calvary
And see my Lord upon that tree
My heart is melted, I am undone
How could this happen, to God’s Son
 
I need not ask the question, why
It was for for me, He had to die
His suffering, the only way
The penalty for, my sin to pay
 
Forever grateful, I will be
For by His death, I’ve been set free
Not by merit of my own
But by grace, and grace alone
 
Now I am a child of God
Protected by His staff and rod
You, my Shepherd, guide my life
And hold me close, in the midst of strife
 
And when my time on earth is o’er
You will lead me, to heaven’s shore
And there at last, at home I’ll be
Safe and secure, eternally

I share this via our Blog, as a reflection of my gratitude for all Christ has done for me.  I know many of you are far more creative than I am.  Perhaps you have written a poem or song that reflects your heart.  Or perhaps you just want to put on paper words that expression your gratitude and wonder.  I want to invite you to submit your creative work to bless and encourage us as we journey together.
​

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!

Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
                                                                                                                                                      Proverbs 17:6

​I am seeing this truth from the writer of the Proverbs lived out in the life of my mom and in my own life.  Each time I talk to her, I hear the joy as she talks about her children and great-grandson and I feel that sense of pride as I reflect on the one I call 'mom'.

My mom is an amazing lady.  She has not had an easy life.  Her mother died when she was just a little girl. Her father was still a part of her life, but she was raised by her Aunt Grace, who was a kind and gentle soul.  She was married at 17 and had two children before her 20th birthday. Life with my dad was difficult at times; he was a good man in many ways but he was an alcoholic, a much different man when he had too much to drink.  It's fair to say my mom bore the brunt of his anger and outbursts.  By the time I was ten, my dad had left us; my mother was doing the 'single mom thing' long before the term became popular. 

When advised by a social worker to quit work and rely on the welfare system my mom refused.  She worked all day and took care of three children, providing for all that we needed.  We never had a lot and sometimes went without things that were not absolutely necessary, but she always made sure we had food on the table and clothes on our back.  Often she would scrape together change so that there was milk in the fridge. She was creative in being able to stretch our groceries.  I was reminiscing with her in a recent call about meals that consisted of macaroni and a can of stewed tomatoes or ground beef mixed with a can of vegetable soup. I remember the four of us sharing a can of soup; the cans must have been bigger back then!  

When my dad left, I had to stop playing little league baseball, but I still played with the kids in the neighborhood and the local park. I don't know how she did it, but when I wanted to play hockey, she found a way to provide the equipment needed.  My equipment was used, I never had new skates but I got to enjoy the game as I grew through my teenage years.  I remember a time when we took an overnight trip to Niagara Falls with one of my mom's friend and her two kids; it's funny how that stands out in my mind.  Another time we shared a cottage with the same family at Mitchell's Bay; that was mom doing something special within the limitations of her budget and creating lasting memories.  

When I think of my mom the word 'sacrifice' comes to mind; she was the one who went without so that we had what we needed.  She was and is a woman of great strength.  Outside of the Lord Jesus, I don't know of any other person who models sacrificial love as my mom did.  To this day, she doesn't have a lot, but is still very giving.  One time she gave a cheque (my mom still uses cheques, she even types them!) to help with travel expenses when Janice went back to help out after she had surgery.  I told Janice just to leave the cheque -- that was a mistake! I've had to learn the grace to receive and just say 'thank you'.

With the pandemic dragging on and travel still risky, it's been over a year since I last saw my mom.  We celebrated her 80th birthday virtually and connected the same way at Christmas.  (We're grateful that Scott is close enough that he and Tiffany and Riley can visit my mom.)  I wish I could hug my mom and say 'Happy Mother's Day' but maybe a phone call to simply say 'thanks mom' will remind her how much she means to me and how blessed I am to call her 'mom'!

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)

We are all portraits of grace!

​Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
                                                                                                                                                         John 1:16-17

If you could capture a portrait of your life, a collage of moments that defined who you are and what your life has been about, I wonder what your portrait might reveal, what defining moments from your journey you would include.

At the centre of my portrait of grace would be the image of a 17 year-old kid, who didn't think he needed God in his life, sitting in the corner of the ballroom at the Sheraton Brock motel in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Good Friday, 1977.  If you looked closely you would see an open Bible as the the youth leader from Emmanuel Baptist Church, explained the way of salvation.  This was THE defining moment in my spiritual journey, when I surrendered to my life to Christ and received His grace and mercy.

When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:4-5)

As you moved out from the center of my portrait you would see other snapshots of grace, moments when the Lord Jesus poured out more of His love and favor.  You would see a picture of my baptism in July of 1977, the day I married Janice in April of 1982, my graduation from Central Baptist Bible college in the spring of 1988, holding our daughter Lisa in September of 1988 at the back of the auditorium at Centennial Baptist Church as it is announced I had been called to become their next Senior Pastor.

There would be moments of great joy, but also moments of saddeness, when our gracious Father revealed Himself as the God who is our refuge and strength.  You would see me standing with my mom and the bedside of my grandfather shortly before he passed away or sitting on the side of the road, trying to hold it together after the unexpected death of Janice's dad. You would see a moment in time when I stood with the parents of a four year-old as the doctor tells them, 'I'm sorry we did all we could' or standing beside a grieving mother as a police officer informed her that her 25 year-old son had been murdered.  In those moments I experienced the fullness of God's sustaining grace.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Around all of those moments of grace discovered in times of joy or sorrow, would be images of those times when God met me along the path -- defining moments in my spiritual journey.  You would see me kneeling in a moment of surrender at the Clergy Conference in Atlanta; an historic event in which nearly 40,000 pastors from around the world gathered.  In that moment God's calling in my life was re-affirmed, leading to a season of growth in our church in Hamilton as many came to Christ and were baptizied over the next year and half.  You would see a picture of Janice and I sitting in our living room in Orangeville, Ontario with 25 of our closest and most-trusted friends surrounding us, praying for us and cheeering us on during a difficult period.  That moment became the catylyst for change that would eventually lead us to serve here at Valley.

All these moments were times when God broke into my life, to reaffirm His covenant of love, to reassure me of a truth He put on my heart shortly after intercepting my life at the age of 17:  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6) 

My portrait would include numerous times when God stepped in my way, came alongside to walk with me or took me by the hand to lead me, reminding me that His desire is to break into my life and lead me in ways that are consistent with His calling for my life and reflective of His sheer goodness.

On the outise of my portrait would be the faces and names of those God has placed along my path as a means to pour out even more of His grace; friends and co-workers, Christian leaders and brothers and sisters in the Lord who have blessed me and built me up in the faith.  I think of John and Sandra, Don and Audrey, Bruce and Sue, Ray, Mark, Don, Glen and Kim, John and Mary to name only a few; men and women who came along side us at particular times in our journey, who were agents for God's grace at the time.  I have been incredibly blessed by a host of brothers and sisters in Christ who have been gifts of grace!

In all of this, I think of the words of Hebrews 12:  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

We are all portraits of grace!  I wonder what would your portrait reveal?