A Friyay for Canada!

 

I'm not a faithful enough hockey fan to climb on this wagon right now. But if there's room for anything these days, it's a little Canadian patriotism. So I'll jump on and ride this for a bit.

Way to go Canadian Team! Feels like we all needed this right about now. Uplifts politic-weary spirits on this wintry Friday morning. And the symbolism in these rhetoric-laden days is not lost on us.

And also.

Sports rivalries being what they are, there is an added layer to this game in this historical moment that bodes us be wary. We caution ourselves not to entrench ourselves in adversarial ways of thinking that begin to manifest in petty behaviours and hardened hearts both.

Can I just say, I am not in favour of anyone's national anthem being booed by anyone for any reason. If I'm not mistaken (open to being corrected here) in this particular series of games, we started it. I feel the temptation myself, if I'm honest. But...my Canadian friends, we can do better than this.

God keep our land gloriously free of hatred, even as we stand steadfast to advocate for what it means to be Canadian. And even as I utter this prayer, I know that He turns it back to me, to us, and gives us the mandate and the tenacity to choose to love instead.

And to my Christian friends on both sides of this magnificent border, can I just say:

We are in this together. We are the Church together. We are in a unique position to hold on to grace, and stay fiercely committed to showing who we are by how we love one another.

At least, that's what Jesus said.
"By this everyone will know that your are My disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35

So let's cheer for our Team, advocate for our political rights, take action where and when we are called to do so. And as we are protecting all that we hold dear, let's include protecting our own hearts from anything that would turn us into who we don't want to be.

I don't know. Maybe you're all good on this.
I just know what can so easily happen inside my own soul.
Especially these days.

Now...I only wish I had a hockey jersey I could wear today! :)

Already Yes

Let's play a game.

It's called "Find the Thai Bible."

I'll give you a hint I wish I had when I started this game myself.

It's on the bookcase pictured.

For context, I'll say two things.

First is about timing.

I've been searching for my Thai Bible since January 8th or so.

That's when Ken and I moved over from staying in our son's home to setting up here, in our brand new little house.  One of my first priorities was to see just how many books I could fit on the shelves that were assigned to the space that constitutes my office.  I was so curious to see how this would work.  So books were the first thing I sorted and put away.  Boxes and boxes of them, most of which were packed up last June.  But also, the books I had with me when I got back from Thailand last November, my Thai Bible among them.  In other words, I knew for sure the Bible was on the premises.  

In the last three weeks, the search has intensified.  That's when I've been working on Thai language prep for teaching Bible stories and preaching sermons while I'm there.  I can get what I need online, true.  But for anyone who knows, you know how it is with a well-used, well-loved Bible; how it feels in your hand, and how it's just easier to find the places you need to get to.  Plus, this Bible has important significance (that I'll hint at later).  I really wanted to find my Thai Bible.

The second thing is about proximity.

The pictured shelf is to my immediate right as I sit at my desk.  There's my light, then the printer, then the books.  Right there.  The whole time.

My Thai Bible was within my visual range the entire time I was looking for it.

See it?

I'll give a better clue.  A closer shot.

Here.

 

Now do you see it?

I'll give another hint.

It has a grey duct tape spine.

Yup.  That thicker one to the right of the candle.

Okay...more context needed here.

This is the Bible I wrote about in a previous post way back in the spring.  You can read about it here.  The Bible is, in a very real way, part of the inspiration that led us to this move in the first place.  The story behind it is that Yupa helped me prolong the life of this particular Bible by providing me with the duct tape needed to keep it together.  

Thing is, I knew that.  While I've been looking for my Thai Bible, I knew it should have a grey duct-taped spine.  It should have been obvious.  Also obvious is the fact that all the other books on the shelf are language books.  Not Thai, but still.  A perfectly logical place for me to put my Thai Bible until I would need it to prepare for the next trip.

In retrospect I should have made a little note for myself on my calendar.  I do that sometimes.  "Thai Bible is on top shelf of unit immediately to right of desk."  It would have helped.  Although it's entirely likely that, when I put it where I put it, I thought to myself, 'It will be right in plain sight if I leave it here.'

So, a really loud yay for finding my Thai Bible!  Made my day, to be honest.

And I can't wait to tell my friends on our Prayer Team at Highview later this morning, because two weeks ago, just as a small personal aside, I asked them to pray that I would find it.  In fact, when they did one friend suggested that we would 'look forward to laughing at the silly place it would be found.'  Ha!

I wonder how many other answers to prayer are like this?  The yes answer has already been given.  It's right there in plain sight.  We're just not tuned in enough to see it.  Or it's arrived all covered in very ordinary looking duct tape and we can't tell it's what we've been waiting for.  And maybe our prayer now should be, "Lord, open my eyes to see Your intimate involvement, Your very real presence here."

I will lay that down lightly now.  Not sure how far I can or should go with this.  Just some fleeting thoughts as I sit here feeling a little foolish and a lot grateful.  

Going into Wednesday with eyes wide open.

Praying the same for you.

Contrasts

Psalm 113:3

From the rising of the sun

to the place where it sets,

the name of the Lord is to be praised.

Quick before it's gone again.

Some sunshine!
Happy welcome to the day.

Don't let it fool you. It's crazy cold out there, and will be for the next run of days.

Can't help but be amused in my morning routines, as I lather on the moisturizer and layer on the sweaters, how differently-temperatured I will be next week at this time. By then it will be more like powder and flip flops. My weather ap for Chiang Mai shows sunshine and highs of 33 with lows of 19. Sounds great for sleeping with the windows open, and a sunrise walk on the property.

Meanwhile, I am in the prioritizing and packing phase of trip preparation. Making sure I have everything I might need downloaded on to my computer and Kindle for work and reading on the plane. Checking off what I can, deferring items to the 'when I get back' list, and making sure I have everything I need for the work waiting for me there. And the beloveds waiting for me there.

Yesterday was surprisingly productive in all of the work categories. I'm glad that a three day snow storm, while disruptive on a few other levels, did not interfere too much with what still needs to be done.

And I'm glad for a glimpse of the sun, and the wonder of winter, and the very lovely human beings I get to do life with.

Tuesday it is!
Let's see what this day brings!

Snow Day on a Sunday

TODAY'S CHANGE IN PLANS

Highview Community Church on line service only.

Starts at 10:30 a.m.

hcckw.ca

Two Minute Tour Open House canceled for today.

Hoping for tomorrow

Monday, February 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Stay tuned for confirmation.

Found the vehicles!!!!....barely!!
And it's still coming down.

We're taking the incremental approach to our snow shoveling around here. If you go out and clear it every couple of hours, it doesn't get unmanageable. At least, that's the theory. Right now, though, it's coming down so fast that by the time you finish one end of the driveway the place where you started needs it again.

We've come inside, shaken ourselves off, and now getting ready for the rest of the morning.

Being out there confirms the wisdom of Highview's decision to move our Sunday morning service on line. While it's disappointing not to be in person to share our stories from last November's trip, which is the theme of the morning, it's definitely a day to stay safe at home.

If you'd like to join, head to hcckw.ca, scroll down just a little on the home page until you see Google Meet in blue. The techno fun begins a 10:30.

And on the theme of staying home and staying safe. We will also NOT be open for our Open House this afternoon as previously planned. We want our friends to hunker down in the blizzard.
There's always tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.

Snow Day!!!

 

My small contribution to our collective shoveling endeavours this morning.

Before

I'll let the more muscular among us do the heavy work of the long driveway and clearing out the vehicles. I'm just taking care of the space between our houses and making sure our little walkway up to our porch stairs is good to go.

After

Wow! That's a lot of snow!!

Everybody stay home!
Or at least give yourselves (and your employees if that's you) a lot of grace time to get where you're going.

My day consists of Zoom meetings all morning (yay that I can stay inside), and one in person meeting tonight. I am hoping the roads will be mostly cleared by then....but honestly? Should be an interesting day.

I do love me a nice snow storm, I have to confess. Last night was all cozy on the couch watching it blow around.

This morning I am grateful for a warm bed, a roof over my head, a tea kettle and some candles, and the other more muscular peeps who are there right now.

Sabbath Soft

I'm lingering in this Sunday snow fall,

at least the early morning hush of it,

as Ken and I shovel quietly.

(Yes, we're shoveling,

 and I'm still glad for the snow.)

And then the afternoon,

...laying low in Sabbath stillness.

Still snowy.

Reading and resting.

Don't worry.

We brushed off the van

before heading to worship in the morning.

But when we got back...

...we went nowhere.

Two Mondays from now I'll be on the plane.

I'll settle in and be quiet then.

Like today.

Between then and now?

Some bluster.

Packing and preparing.

Finishing big projects.

A meal and an auction.

Leading a panel on February 16.

Preaching February 23.

Not to mention

OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND

(February 15, 16, 17)

(Don't worry, I'll repost the invitation again this week.)

All good.

All very exciting.

And mostly, mostly, 

in good shape to be completed

in good order.

But for right now?

Just some Sabbath softness.

Mindful breathing.

And that is all.

 

The Lovely Lifted Things

 

Loving the cozy vibe of this particular Thursday morning.
Almost Friday.
In one way, news-wise, it's been a week.

But also, otherwise...
I've felt loved and respected.
I've been enriched in some reading.
I've seen answers to prayer.
I've connected with friends.
I've had meaningful conversation with teenage grandkids.
I've been encouraged and inspired.
I've gone on walks in the sunshine.
I've tried something new (yoga neck stretches).
I've made progress on important projects.
I've felt settled and at home.
I've been humbled and reoriented again in receiving Communion.
I've eaten well.
And every single morning, I woke up in a warm bed.

And it's not even Friday yet!
All these things are good and true and not ever taken for granted.
And if the newsfeed gets a tad weighty,
all this lifts me.

In many of my conversations this week, I've been impressed with the need to keep each other in love and support.
I so appreciate the honest hope that others have spoken to me.
Let's keep saying the lovely things,
the grateful things.

Have a lovely lifted Thursday everyone!

I Think I'll Just Sit Here and Sinter for a Bit

We have a quinzhee at the front of our property, and I think it's pretty awesome.  

For those who might not know, a quinzhee is a shelter made of snow, often reinforced with sticks.  Unlike a more permanent igloo made of blocks, a quinzhee is mostly a pile of snow dug out from the side into the middle.  It's meant to be temporary, usually for the purposes of survival out there in the winter woods.  First nations folk might set that up for an overnight hunting trip.  Or if you live in the city, it can just be for fun, which is the case with ours.

And if you think this is the creative work of sundry and various grandchildren, it's not.  There are some adults around here who thoroughly enjoy winter, and building a quinzhee is an every-winter-we-have-enough-snow bit of seasonal happy.

In looking up all this about quinzhees (even how to spell it), I came across a new word for me.

Sintering.  Wikepedia tells me that it is "the process of compacting and forming a solid mass of material by pressure or heat without melting it to the point of liquification."  It makes more solid what exists first as smaller particles.  And while this is a process applied to the manufacturing of metals, plastics and ceramics, sintering also applies to the more organic way the snow is packed down and 'settles' when you're making a quinzhee.

Is it just me, or is this winter particularly weird?  Ken and I have seen the completion of our house, moved in and set up, the reinstatement of more regular routines, and the end of a long time of transition.  That's on the personal side.  Then, with the rest of Canada, there's been all the big news political stuff.  Our Prime Minister steps down and prorogues parliament.  Our Premier calls a snap election and shuts down the Ontario legislature.  And the US Administration starts an on-again-off-again trade war that has all the news agencies scrambling to keep up just to let us know what's going on.  

That's a lot of swirling pieces blowing around.  Leaves me wishing I could build a survival quinzhee for my soul out here in the wild woods of it all.  To let things settle.  Let things sinter.

Maybe I can.

"You will keep in perfect peace

those whose minds are steadfast

because they trust in You."

Isaiah 26:3

So I sinter in the meditation.  And in my winter walks that now take me up into the trees.  Or in the quiet stretching of late afternoon when my desk work is done and I unhurry myself towards evening.

So curious to see where all this shakes down.  

And how our quinzhee will fare in the winter weeks ahead.

Guarding My Heart: Navigating Tariff Territory

Above all else,

guard your heart,

for it is the well-spring of life.

Proverbs 4:23

I was going to start by saying this wouldn't be a 'political' post.  But the truth is that everything's kinda' political right now, so who am I kidding?  Because....Over the weekend so much news!

I stayed up on purpose Saturday night to hear the statement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in response to it being all official now about the tariffs being imposed by the US Administration.  And regardless of where I land on various policies and practices of our Federal government, I did appreciate his direct comments to both the American people and the people of Canada, and his steady encouragement towards resilience.  Transcript here.

It made me consider what my own approach will be, in these next weeks and months of navigating tariff territory, as both a Canadian, and a follower of Jesus.  I need a plan, if you will, exercising my own agency, to stay balanced and true to both those essential components of who I am.

This is an early, in some ways unrefined response.  I sense there is a lot of reflection and formation ahead in the coming weeks.  My perspectives have yet to be more robustly informed by actual and not just feared outcomes, and by how it will all play out in real time. 

But so far, as I anticipate the unfolding of what will likely be an historic week, three 'intentionalities' compel me forward.

1.  Practice Contentment

We'll likely be doing without in the next little while.  The list of items that will certainly be more expensive, or perhaps not be available at all, is long already, and growing.  I'm thinking I'll be confronted with some things I've just taken for granted.  And that's not all bad.

Paul, in part of his letter to the Philippians who had not been able to be consistent in their practical, financial support of his ministry, writes this:

"I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.  

Indeed, you were concerned but you had no opportunity to show it.  

I am not saying this because I am in need, 

for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, 

whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." 

Philippians 4:10-13

For different reasons, Paul had times when things were tight.  I admire his bold statements about 'any and every situation,' and, leaning into the strength of Jesus, I want to press more into that space as I face the challenges ahead.

2.  Stay Generous

Tight times tend to make us pull in.  I want to resist that urge, and keep looking outward.  Remembering some of our collective responses to the oncoming pandemic in 2020, I will again avoid hoarding, even as I find it necessary to shop differently perhaps.  If needed, there are lots of ways I can spend less on myself without shortchanging what I believe God asks me to give to others.  It's a very real way to make sure love doesn't also become a scarcity in the midst of everything else.

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need 

but has no pity of them, how can the love of God be in that person?

1 John 3:17

But even beyond physical goods, I want to be generous in spirit, give people the benefit of the doubt, make sure I don't start viewing others as competitors.  Which kind of leads me to my last intentionality.

3. Shun Hatred

"In your anger, do not sin."

Ephesians 4:26

I feel the collective anger of Canada, I do.  The suggestion that our country be claimed as a 51st state is deeply insulting.  That so many humans on both sides of the border will be significantly harmed by deliberate actions taken by this Administration, is deeply disturbing.  That so many of my American neighbours, some being friends and family, believed this was the leader they wanted truly baffles me, and not in a light-hearted, bemused sort of way.  

So I feel all the big feelings, acknowledge them, and give them the space they need to help me process all of what's happening.  

But I also know that without the application of supernatural grace, my anger could become a further agent of harm, both towards those who intend to harm me, and also to myself.  Anger that leads to redemptive action is one thing.  Anger that festers and degrades into blind hatred is another.  And I refuse to let that happen in me.  Like I said, friends and family.  We cannot let this pit us against each other!  Not as people, not as countries, and certainly not as the Church of Jesus Christ!

That's why I hope to keep reading, keep investing, keep listening, keep loving, keep guarding my heart.  Love absolutely has to be the way.  Otherwise, how will they know Who I follow (John 13:35)?

And that's it for now.  From me at least.  There's plenty more to process in the days to come.  But it's a start.

I appreciate the minds and hearts of many who are assessing all that's happening, and thoughtfully reflecting on them with more political eloquence than I could ever muster.  

I also respect those who find the need to guard their mental health by limiting how much they will or will not reflect on all these things.

And I find hope in experiencing first hand how it actually is possible to agree to disagree and continue to serve God together, applying ourselves together around bigger needs than trying to decide who's right.

God keep our land.