Comfort and Hope

"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, 

as the waters cover the sea."  

Habakkuk 2:14 NIV

Today it's the little Book of Habakkuk-little but deep in content, that was my reading in The Message by Eugene Peterson.  I really find The Message refreshing and informative although I always have my NIV and other references on hand for easy cross referencing.  Interestingly, today on "Listen Up" with Lorna Dueck, she showed a clip of an interview she had with Mr. Peterson.  Apparently it's the only interview for tv that this amazing man has ever done.  I caught part of his comment - "...just read the Bible as a novel and let God's Word flow into you as you read"- just love that.  That's how I try to read it and it works.  There are so many riveting stories always containing the thread of  God's plan, that of "rescuing us all", skillfully interwoven throughout.  A great heroic epic - and it's true!

Mr. Peterson includes great intros to each Book of the Bible.  Here's a few paragraphs I've highlighted in regards to the prophet Habakkuk:

"Living by faith is a bewildering venture.  We rarely know what's coming next, and not many things turn out the way we anticipate.  It is natural to assume that since I am God's chosen and beloved, I will get favorable treatment from the God who favors me so extravagantly.  It is not unreasonable to expect that from the time that I become his follower, I will be exempt from dead ends, muddy detours, and cruel treatment from the travelers I meet daily who are walking the other direction.  That God-followers don't get preferential treatment in life always comes as a surprise.  But it's also a surprise to find that there are a few men and women within the Bible who show up alongside us at such moments...

...But this prophet companion (Habakkuk) who stands at our side does something even more important: He waits and he listens.  It is in his waiting and listening - which then turns into his praying - that he found himself inhabiting the large world of God's sovereignty.  Only there did he eventually realize that the believing-in-God life, the steady trusting-in-God life, is the full life, the only real life.  Habakkuk started out exactly where we start out with our puzzled complaints and God-accusations, but he didn't stay there.  He ended up in a world, along with us, where every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good."

Those paragraphs are so reassuring, so comforting, so full of hope.

Habakkuk, a prophet to Judah, lived in the 7th century BC, before the destruction of the magnificent temple in Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 587 BC .  No doubt he will have offered sacrifices and worshiped here before God's judgment fell on His people at that time.

My upbringing was in simple church buildings.  Thinking about the great diversity of church structures and the hardships that often occured as a result of raising up these impressive structures, can be dismaying.   And yet I hope it also signals the workings of the inner desire within the human heart to give our very best, our very most and our very finest to God, not as a means of gaining our rescue but as an offering of gratitude and thanksgiving to our God who has given us life.

 

 While in Moscow I got a good shot of St. Basil's church which was right across the street from our enormous hotel.  I was thrilled that my photo scanned so well just now and that I was able to enhance it somewhat using i-photo.  I had planned on only including the scanned postcard picture below that I bought while there:

 

 All the beautiful churches in Russia were desecrated from 1919 and on.  It was not until the end of the 20th century that registered services could be conducted.  Most of these churches remain secular today and serve as museums.

A Refuge

"The LORD is good; 

a refuge in times of trouble. 

He cares for those who trust in him..." 

Nahum 1:7

This Scripture has sustained me over many years.  A colleague of mine first brought it to my attention and encouraged me with it when I returned to teaching, more than two dozen years ago by now, after a fourteen year hiatus from teaching.  The re-entry was a difficult time for me but God placed BJ in my sphere of work for just that time, I'm sure.

So over the years as I have read through the Bible systematically by reading a number of chapters a day, I have come to love the Scriptures savouring the blessings. Today as I once more read the little Book of Nahum I was reminded of God's faithfulness and goodness to me.  Oh I need these reminders, again and again and again!

  Although I don't understand everything, I think I can safely say that I'm always uplifted and encouraged after reading the Scriptures.  The over-arching theme comes through loud and clear: "God is in charge and He is in control and He has a plan and He is good".

For my regular Bible reading I don't follow a guide, I just start at the beginning and follow  through.  Over the last few years I've added a little twist to this routine.  When I begin again with the Book of Genesis I also add one Psalm for that day.  This way I get to have a special Psalm for 150 days of the year, and by breaking up Psalm 119 into several sections, it having 176 verses I extend those special "Psalm Days".   When that is done I read through the other Books of Poetry and Wisdom -Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and The Song of Solomon in this way too, one chapter a day along with the regular reading.  

 Proverbs having thirty-one chapters, I choose to read that Book in a month where there are thirty-one days, one for each day of that month.  This adds great variety and interest to my daily reading, especially when I come to a book like Leviticus, foundational as it is, I find it difficult.

The Bible is God's Word for all of us here on earth.  It is alive and active(Hebrews 4:12) and as relevant today as it was when Jesus Himself first read from the scrolls while in the Synagogue of His home church in Nazareth.  (Luke 4:16-21)

Thinking about synagogues and churches led me to review in my mind and through pictures some of the many churches we have seen over the years.  Church buildings at times are used as places for physical refuge but they also represent a place for spiritual refuge or sanctuary.  A church seems to indicate a God-presence, but does it always?

A few years ago Al and I had the opportunity to spend almost four weeks in Russia - most of it in St. Petersburg where we volunteered at SPCU- St. Petersburg Christian University.  On the weekends we visited many historical and beautiful sites.  There were many churches, architectural wonders, one more magnificent than the other.  This was before I had a digital camera and although my photo of the "Church-on-the-Spilt Blood" (1883-1907) is quite good I opted to scan these postcards: 

Although we did not enter the church shown in the right photo, the intricacies and details of this magnificent building were stunning.  We were told its beauty was on the outside not within.  The fascinating origin of this church and why it was given this name can be found at the following link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Savior_on_Blood

The picture to the left shows some of the cathedral of "Saints Peter and Paul", the first landmark in St. Petersburg (1712-1733).  It houses the remains of almost all the Russian Tsars beginning with Peter the Great and ending with Nicholas ll.  It was closed during the Russian Revolution and turned into a museum.   Today it is still officially a museum but religious services resumed in 2000.  It was in one of the great halls, with remarkable accoustics, that we heard the most ethereal a cappella singing from a group of four men in long monk-like robes.

 God, thankfully, is not restricted to being in a specific building nor is He impressed with ornate architecture, gilt and marble columns.  He does not see as we do.   We look at the outside but God looks deeper, He looks at the heart.  Yes, I agree with Nahum of old:

"The LORD is good; 

a refuge in times of trouble. 

He cares for those who trust in him..." 

Early Spring

 

It's exciting to see early signs of  spring everywhere.  The heather is just coming into its own...

 ...and the forsythia has its own flamboyant beauty.

Near the end of January each year, I check the bare forsythia branches and break off a few to take indoors.  They're quite attractive in their simplicity in a jar or vase of water on their own.  Within 7-10 days the delicate yellow flowers appear...and stay for a couple of weeks.  How can that be?  How do they know to burst into bloom without roots of nurturing mother tree?

 

 This sweet little primrose surprised me as it came to life from last year's treasures, after I left it in a protected planter, out of the rain.  As I checked out the yard today the mini daffodils beckoned as did the periwinkle-blue grape hyacinths.  To my surprise the buds on the camelia bush were thick and showing color.

But even at this hour, nine o'clock at night, there are signs of spring.  A chorus of frogs is serenading our whole neighborhood from the green space across the street.  It's such a phenomenal concert.

Another delightful surprise greeted my eyes as I pulled the curtains last night.  There rising in all its splendour was the full moon of February making its grand appearance on the last day of the month - spectacular.  

I am thankful for these sensory pleasures, so prevalent and so natural and so beautiful.  There is so much beauty and so much to learn from these ordinary, yet really most extraordinary things.  

Veronica

 ...and pray for each other... 

James 5:16

Today, on my walk I met Veronica.  I discovered that she had come from the Congo, Africa four years ago.

I had noticed her about half an hour earlier across the track but now as I veered off to head down the new, still unfinished trail, I met her as she was heading back up.  As we smiled and exchanged "Hi's" I wanted to engage her in a conversation since I hadn't seen her here before.  Although her English was halting, French being her first language, we communicated through sign language and a few English words.  I was embarrassed by my lack of knowledge of our second language here in Canada.

Veronica indicated that she would like to continue walking with me and so she turned around and we went down the declining pathway together trying to carry on a conversation which would often end in a giggle. 

By asking a few questions I discovered that she was living with her daughter nearby and that she had six children but only two were in Canada.  I understood that her eldest child was 35 and her youngest 16.  What the circumstances were that brought her here I don't know.  I prayed that I would be an encouragement to her.  Sensing that she might have deep struggles I asked her if she knew who Jesus was.  Laying her hand on her heart she said, "Yes, Jesus here".  I did the same.  It was thrilling.  Although she couldn't understand me very well she nodded with a sweet little giggle when I added, "Jesus loves you and Jesus loves me"

  When we were heading back up I decided to take a different route towards home but she motioned that she would go that way too.  At the corner where I intended to turn off, I  turned to her to say good bye adding "God bless you, Veronica".  She replied, "Thank you...God bless you".  Then she looked into my eyes and asked if I would pray for her.  So right there at the intersection I took her hand and she put her other hand on my arm and I committed her into our heavenly Father's care - His protection, His provision for her and her family, and for His peace. 

There are few things that bless and uplift me more than to be able to pray with someone.  (I also am uplifted and blessed  when someone prays for me.)  So when Veronica asked me for prayer, I was privileged and blessed.

I thank God for the opportunity He gave me this afternoon.  If you read this, please join me in praying for Veronica.  God knows her situation and He is the One, the Source from whom all blessings flow in beautiful and unfathomable ways.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 

 James1:17

Flowers for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day has come and gone but the true spirit of the day must continue and flourish, growing stronger and gentler, with every passing day.

Just before the 14th my dear husband arrived home with a gorgeous bouquet of red and white flowers, an enormous white hydrangea in the center, topped off with a red heart.  Very spectacular even today as I glance over at them on the center of our dining room table.

  

 

 On Sunday, February 14, some of my extended family met for lunch at my sister Erica's favourite local restaurant -The Rendezvous.  Here is where I enjoyed my last lunch with her as she insisted on still celebrating my birthday, although two weeks early, since she knew she was getting weaker.  She passed away less than three weeks later.  What a brave, loving soul she was. 

After we had ordered Wilf quietly left the table returning about ten minutes later with a bouquet of three red roses, greens and baby's breath.  Taking two of the roses out he presented the rest of the flowers along with a kiss to his wife, Hedy, then a red rose for Peter in honour of Erica and one for me.  This was a beautiful symbolic act which I really treasure.  After our wonderful meal and time of interacting and bantering we left for the cemetery not far from there and watched as Peter gently laid the rose onto Erica's headstone.  It was lovely. 

Earlier that week my niece Bonnie came for tea and brought me a beautiful bouquet of coral coloured carnations.  It still is beautiful today. 

 

  

  

Picture of Bonnie taken at our extended family Christmas dinner.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  

But the greatest of these is love.  

1 Corinthians 13:13

 

"Cultural Olympics"

Yesterday was the day!  Hedy and I boarded Westcoast Express at 7:28am, surprised to see a long line of people with the same idea.  Effortlessy we arrived at the Waterfront Station an hour and fifteen minutes later where we met Ingrid, who arrived on Seabus from North Vancouver and Herta-who in great patriotic fashion, and sisterly love, outfitted us with these red Olympic mittens- arrived from Richmond via the Canada Line.  It was fabulous!  First off, of course, the briefing session aka coffee time!  With Starbucks nearby in the Pan Pacific we enjoyed our brew and goodies.  Then headed upstairs to see a First Nations exhibit.

 

The Olympic cauldron was just down the street along the waterfront so that was our next site.  Hedy and I had been to the Rotary Stadium in Abbotsford, along with about 20,000 other locals, to welcome the Olympic flame as it arrived in our city on its way to Vancouver.  

Now I put the lens of my camera through the mesh in the fence surrounding the site, zoomed in and here's the result.

                              

 

     

Below you can see how far away the cauldron actually is from the street. 

  

The Art Gallery was resplendent in this gorgeous floral mural.  A few trees nearby were already sporting real pink blossoms.  We lined up along the front of the building and snaked our way to the entrance at the side.  It was more than an hour wait before we got to see some of Leonardo da Vinci's drawings of the human body.  On the fourth floor was the BC exhibit.  They had done a great job of simulating  a real forest.  Below we are standing inside a huge refurbished tree salvaged from Stanley Park after it fell in the storms of a few years ago.  The yellow neckbands were our free ticket into the display.  I proudly wore mine all day.  It simply read: You Gotta be here British Columbia Canada.

Although we had stood in line for more than an hour we only spent 20 minutes inside the exhibit.  Ingrid had arranged and hosted a lunch at a nearby restaurant where two of our cousins joined us, Caroline and Elaine who is with CTV and gave us each a souvenir pin.  It was great to connect with these two younger cousins of ours from Winnipeg, although Caroline recently moved to Vancouver.

We were really  surprised at the crowds of people downtown.  We spent a bit of time around Robson Square hoping to catch some Olympians somewhere.  All we saw on the ice was the Zambonie.  We decided to head down to Yaletown, a great walk after our tasty lunch.  From here we walked along the water until we caught the Aquabus which scooted us across the water to Granville Island.  This delightful center was jam-packed with people and we were hard pressed to find a place to sit down to enjoy our coffee and dessert - great assortment from which to choose.

The above picture is on the aquabus and below we've finished coffee-ing and have walked a few blocks further to catch the Olympic Line which is a new kind of street car they're trying out here during the Olympics.  It uses an old streetcar track from days gone by.  We were hoping it would take us to the Olympic Village which is what we wanted to see.  We still had to walk up along the Cambie Street Bridge and from here could over look the complex. 

We're on the pedestrian section of the Cambie Street Bridge which overlooks the  Olympic Village in the distance.  This was the final shot of the day and so decided to show our true colours.   We barely scraped the surface of things to do, places to go and people to see.  But we got a feel of the excitement in the air.  It was a beautiful day and we were so blessed to be together.  From here we said our farewells to Herta who rode south on Canada Line back to Richmond and the three of us rode the Canada Line North where we exited once more at the Waterfront Station.  We had come full circle and now the packed Westcoast Express took Hedy and me back to Abbotsford catching the 5:30 train while Ingrid returned via Seabus to her home on the North shore.  What a privilege and pleasure it was to spend this time with my super sisters.  I am so grateful. Thanks gals!

Go Canada Go!  Two golds already...

The Olympics

The Olympic torch will be passing through Abbotsford next Sunday.  For the next two weeks the Japanese Speed-Skating team and the Russian figure skaters will be practicing at one of our great local sports complexes.

So this morning Al and I explored what this might look like.  This just shows how naive and unsuspecting I still am - thinking we'd sit in the bleachers and it would be come-and-go as you like.  Not so.  The whole ice area was locked down and all the windows curtained with black.  Of course that made sense.  Looking about and asking a few questions, we noticed a line-up outside at the opposite entrance.  So we also took our place in the queue wondering if it would be worth  it.  There were a number of friendly guides around to inform us that they were letting people in in groups of 150 at a time to view the practise from up on the mezzanine floor for 20 minutes.  We waited about 20 minutes and then followed the lead for our turn to observe.

The mezzanine is a glass-enclosed area overlooking the olympic-size sheet of ice.  We were allowed to take pictures, but no flash.  I had only taken a short video clip when my batteries died.  I was prepared and hastily exchanged them.  But now to get that stubborn clip back down to keep the battery chamber closed was the hurdle that practically ate up half my viewing time and got me frustrated.  I so wanted a few pictures.  I did get a lot but oh my, they aren't good.  Way too far away for my  little lens and far too much speed from these fabulous skaters.  I'm going to have to learn to use some of my setting options.  That might have helped some!

It was exciting though to see these super skaters jumping and spinning and flying through the air at such incredible speed.  I'll be watching for the couple below to make it to the podium in the pairs event - they were phenomenal...but then...all the others will be looking mighty fine as well.  No wonder there's always so much controversy surrounding the skating events.

 

The pair below were smaller- she was just so tiny it seemed- but also extremely talented.

  

As we left we saw more skaters and a coach in the lobby.  It was exciting.

 

My sisters and I are planning to take the train into Vancouver two weeks from today in order to wander around downtown where dozens, possibly hundreds of interesting events, displays and shows are available to the public - many of them free of charge.  I think that, like viewing the practise sessions, is a great way of engendering enthusiasm among the locals for this great attraction, the Olympics, that is bringing people from all over the world onto our doorstep.

I'd love to know how I could incorporate a small segment of a video clip here from this morning - it was so beautiful.  Yes, it definitely was worth it.