Happy New Year

Thank you to all of my readers, and to those who took the time and made the effort to leave a comment.

Christmas continued

As the season of Christmas continues up to January 5-the day before Epiphany-the following photos are from our Christmas tree. We are blessed to have a wide variety of nativity decorations, which we've collected over the years. 

Evergreeen Christmas tree symbol of eternity

 

 

Nativity decoration

One of my favourite nativity decorations

 "The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood." (John 1:14, from: Eugene Peterson, The Message)

Christmas Nativity and Benediction

May the love of our Heavenly Father;  the joy of Jesus Christ+ our Saviour’s birth; and the peace of the Holy Spirit fill your hearts, minds and lives this Christmas and always.

Creative Challenge 281: Sweet

Nativity Lights

Many thanks Danette for coming up with a weekly creative challenge in 2013. I wish you and all of the other participants a blessed Christmas full of joy and peace. Here are a few lines I wrote for this week's creative challenge:

What is true may not be sweet,

nor is the truth always neat.

God is full of surprises,

the low and fallen rises,

thanks to the birth of Jesus

Christmas is here to free us.

Let hallelujahs be raised,

And the Son of God be praised!

Be sure to check out the other entries here. 

Nelson Mandela Tribute Video

One Canadian journalist whom I respect, Brian Stewart, has written and presented a documentary on Nelson Mandela-check it out at the CBC website here. Stewart gives us the realistic picture of South Africa's first black, iconic President. There is no question that the world has lost a gifted leader, whose legacy shall live on in the hearts, minds and lives of human beings from every corner of the globe.  I think the most significant contribution that Nelson Mandela made was that of being able to forgive and initiate reconciliation with his enemies of the Apartheid regime. On one of his visits to the United States, he had this to say to Vermont's senator, Patrick Leahy: "Patrick, because of my imprisonment I was able to lead my country out of apartheid. For that I do not feel bitterness, but joy." I think that quote epitomises the high moral-ethical, and spiritual nature of the man. Rest eternal grant Nelson Mandela, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon him.

Creative Challenge 280: Flowing

Rideau Canal, Ottawa, Ontario

 

The canal locks control the flow of water when they are opened and closed in order to allow the boats to move through them. It is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America, and in 2007, was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can read more about it here. Be sure to check  out the other Creative Challenge entries here.

Creative Challenge 279: Small

Mini-Pansies in our backyard

 

 

Small can be beautiful,

yellow, white, purple, blue;

form a pattern so true

fragment of God's work too. 

Be sure to check out the other entries here.  

Autumn Beauty

Beautiful autumn colours in Kin Coulee Park

 

 

The colour of this tree in a resident's front yard is so magnificent, I couldn't resist capturing it!

Creative Challenge 278: Every picture tells a story

The famous five statutes on Canada's Parliament Hill, Ottawa

The famous five were: Henrietta Muir Edwards-a founding member of the Victorian Order of Nurses, Nellie Mooney McClung-suffragist, author, and member of the Alberta Legislature, Louise Crummy McKinney-first woman to be elected in the Alberta Legislature, or any Legislature in Canada, or in the British Empire, Emily Murphy-first female judge in the British Empire, Irene Marryat Parlby-first female Cabinet Minister in Alberta. They initiated 'the famous persons case' and won, meaning that women were then allowed to vote when, on October 18,1929, the British Judicial Committee of the Privy Council reversed Canada's Supreme Court decision. This also bolstered women's rights in Canada. Check out the other entries here.

Creative Challenge 277: Think

Old tree in Kin Coulee Park

Think of how many people have found refuge under this tree before crossing the bridge to a new adventure. Check out the other entries here.

Creative Challenge 276: Eye to Eye

            Deer's eye, taken at Omega Park near Ottawa, Ontario. Be sure to check out the other entries here.

Creative Challenge 275: Rare

According to the Guinness World Records: The largest chess set board measures 5.89 m (19 ft 4 in) on each side. The king is 119 cm (47 in) tall and is 37.4 cm (1 ft 2 in) wide at the base. The set was made by the Medicine Hat Chess Club (Canada) and was presented and measured in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, on 27 May 2009.

    The Guidelines have been updated and are now requiring the chess pieces to be bigger as well as the chess board. Be sure to check out the other entries here. 

Creative Challenge 273: Smile

Smiling bellringers

 Be sure to check out the other entries here. 

Creative Challenge 272: Dual(ity)

                                                                          Winter

                                                                         Summer

Life is full of dualities in this world, the possibilities are almost endless: Divine/human, male/female, day/night, darkness/light, good/evil, hell/heaven to list only a few. Be sure to check out the other entries here. 

Creative Challenge 271: Perception

      How is your perception? Is this a photo taken at sunrise or sunset? Check  out the other entries here. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN ANSWERING MY QUESTION WITH YOUR COMMENTS BELOW. THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: SUNSET. SO TIM, YOU WERE CORRECT IN SAYING THE SUN IS SETTING IN THE WEST. DANETTE, YOU WERE CORRECT IN SAYING THE LIGHT ON THE WINDOWS IS FROM THE SKY-REFLECTION. 

Creative Challenge 270: Steps

Foreground fountains and steps leading into the Bayreuth "Eremitage" summer palace built by Margrave Friedrich and Margravine Wilhelmine during the last half of the 18th century. Visit the other entries here.

Tree(s) of life

In the first and last books of the Bible, we are told that there is a “tree of life.” In Genesis 3:22-24, after Adam and Eve had eaten the forbidden fruit from the tree of the Knowledge of good and evil; the LORD God is afraid that they will also eat of the tree of life “and live forever.” So God drove them out of Eden. In Revelation 22:1-3, the writer is given a vision of the reversal of the old Eden tree of life. Now, in this vision there is a heavenly river and on both sides of its banks there is the tree of life with 12 kinds of fruit for each month, and its leaves are for the healing of the nations. Sin will be no more: “Nothing accursed will be found there any more.”

  It is interesting that in Jewish tradition when the festival of Sukkot is celebrated, there are a couple of species of trees that are used for building a Sukkah, and also are believed to have healing properties. The myrtle [hadas] leaves, when made into tea and when the tea is consumed is said to result in a longer life span.

  An element of the willow [aravot] leaves, is believed to produce a kind of aspirin within the stomach acids.
   So, we have here, even in our imperfect ‘fallen’ state, kind of “a foretaste of the feast to come” as we Christians say or sing in our liturgy.  

Creative Challenge 268: Summer

               Summer, and the horses graze and run free on the prairie.

Summer, and the wonderful beauty of smell, sight and sound while walking in the forest. Check out the other entries here.

Funeral Sermon for Keith Knight

Funeral Sermon for Keith Leroy Knight, based on Ps 23; Prov 3:13-14; 22:6; Eccles 12:9-10, 12b; Rom 6:3-5; Lk 24:36-47; by Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

We are gathered here today to thank God for the life of Keith Leroy Knight; to commend him into God’s eternal care; and to remember him. Those who knew and loved Keith shall surely miss him; as we realise that we are all the better off for having the privilege of his presence among us.

   Although Keith’s death was very sudden, and that can be rather shocking and upsetting for loved ones; we can take comfort in the words of Psalm 23. The psalm gives us a picture of our LORD being like a loving, caring, protecting and providing shepherd. The psalmist reminds us that even during the time of dying and death, God is with us. God walks with us through death’s valley; we are not alone. God is with us as we mourn the loss of our loved one; we are not alone. God, like a good shepherd who knows and loves every sheep; knows and loves each one of us; and will never abandon us. What a wonderful promise that is!

   When I think of Keith and the times that I spent with him; I think of him as the family does too—as an intellectual, a teacher, and a thinker who was curious, and wise, insightful and understanding. Keith and I had numerous engaging conversations, which were thoughtful and eclectic—and I am grateful for those times I spent with Keith.  

   The gift of faith given to Keith was certainly activated in the form of teaching. Keith, I think, was a devoted teacher. His interests were eclectic, everything from math and the sciences, to Lutheran theology, history—especially current events, and biblical studies, and more. Keith enjoyed sports too—basketball, track, he was an ardent Saskatchewan Roughrider fan and Toronto Maple Leaf fan. Keith had an active mind as a scholar; he loved books, reading and studying. However, I think he knew, and would agree with the writer of Ecclesiastes who said: “Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” I’m sure Keith became flesh-weary at times as he poured himself into his study, learning and teaching. Quiet and introspective person that he was—there were times he needed to be alone too in order to reflect, think deeply, be at peace with, and integrate what he had studied, learned and taught.

   Speaking of integrating, the apostle Paul, in our passage from Romans, speaks of a wonderful promise that involves integration, solidarity and more. We have been baptised into Christ’s death and resurrection. Wow! Now, says Paul, we do not have to be afraid of death. We know death is not the end. Thanks to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, death was defeated and we too shall inherit new, eternal life through resurrection. So we have hope for today, tomorrow and all of our future. Hope that we shall be with our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ when we die as well as with all of our loved ones who have gone ahead of us to their eternal reward. All of this because we’re baptised into Christ’s death and resurrection. We want to respond to this saving grace by living a God-pleasing life. That doesn’t mean we have a holier-than-thou attitude toward others, no. Rather, we recognize Jesus Christ has made a difference, a basic fundamental change in us so that we are set free to love and please him because he has loved us so much.   

   Keith most likely would agree with Martin Luther, when he spoke of faith in this way: “God our Father has made all things depend on faith so that whoever has faith will have everything, and whoever does not have faith will have nothing. The true, living faith, which the Holy Spirit instils into the heart, simply cannot be idle.” Keith’s active faith has certainly contributed richly to the life and well being of this family and those he taught. His faith was, is and shall be an inspiration to many people. I’m sure Keith’s daughters have benefitted immensely from Keith’s gifts as a teacher-parent. As the proverb states, if one is taught sound truths as a child, one will not depart from such teaching. For that we give thanks to God the Giver of all faith.

   I know too that Keith always expressed his love for his family; they were all very near and dear to his heart. He willingly made unselfish sacrifices in order to provide for Cheryl, Melanie and Rhonda. He also gave generously to his grandchildren. He was a loving, caring companion for Jean right up to the end. Such love is rooted in and presupposes the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.   Keith’s love was definitely displayed through his hospitality. Whenever one visited him, one always met with a warm welcome and was made to feel at home, and treated royally. Such love also was made known by Keith through a deep respect for others. Keith respected others by taking time to listen, care for, and encourage them. In so doing, he showed that he valued living a respectful life, a life of integrity and honesty.  

   This faith, love respect, integrity, and honesty which we’ve been reflecting on, is epitomized in Jesus’ farewell conversation with his disciples in our Gospel text from Luke 24. I’m sure, Keith, being the intellectual person that he was, would be most grateful to have his mind  opened by the risen Christ so that he could understand the scriptures. Now, as he has gone through the door of death, into life eternal with his risen Saviour, I wonder if Christ isn’t doing that right now for Keith? Now those opened-ended thoughts and questions and curiosities; those mysteries of the faith; those unanswered questions may very well be resolved and answered.

   In closing, if Keith were able to say something today to you, maybe he would say: “I did appreciate the time I spent with all of you.” Then, he might say, perhaps with some humour: “Why are you having this service? I told you not to!” Our answer to Keith, I think, is rooted in the passage from Romans and Luke’s Gospel. We are a resurrection people. Death does not have the last word. So we give God our thanks and praise for Keith’s life, as we send him on his way to his eternal reward. Amen.

Creative Challenge 267: Corner

You never know what might be around the corner of your railway station. In this case it was a garbage can! :-) Check out the other entries here.

Creative Challenge 266: Humble

When I think of the word humble, my first and foremost picture that comes to mind is Jesus on the cross. He was the most humble of human beings in the life that he lived; on his road to the cross he was humiliated, despised, rejected by many, including the Roman authorities; his death was among the most humiliating, dishonourable deaths that one could die at that time in history, since it was a criminal's and insurrectionist's death; yet paradoxically, for those who are graced with the gift of faith, his humble, self-sacrificing death atones for the sins of humankind, and God's power and love is revealed through the weakness and humiliation of the crucified Jesus. Be sure to check out the other entries here.

Funeral Sermon for Alma Bellagente

Funeral Sermon for Alma Ida Bellagente; based on Ps 23; Eccles 3:1-8; Jn 6:37-40; by Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson; Unity Lutheran Church, Medicine Hat, AB; August 24, 2013, 10:30 A.M.

A loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother; a loyal follower of Jesus; a dear friend, and kind neighbour, Alma, is no longer with us. Those who loved and knew Alma—especially her family—shall certainly miss her. She will continue to be loved and remembered for her, among other things: a deep Christian faith; inner strength; protector of children; love for her family; and hospitality and kindness towards others.

   Those who shared Alma’s companionship shall surely miss her. If she were able, I’m certain Alma would say thank you to her family and friends, and all those who came to know, love and care for her.

   Alma was a very courageous person—raising her five children as a single parent at a time when that was not the traditional thing to do. In that sense, she was a bit ahead of her time, a pioneer of sorts. I’m sure that at times life was difficult for her as she had to be responsible for all of her household duties and raising of the children, as well as be disciplined enough to study for and become an office manager. However Alma’s faith knew that she could depend on the LORD her Shepherd to look after her; provide for her needs and protect her; and be with her always—even as she walked through the valley of the shadow of death. Alma’s rock solid faith trusted that the LORD her Shepherd was leading her every step of the way.  

   Alma could face her death with confidence because she knew, like the writer of Ecclesiastes, that in God’s divine providence: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” For Alma there was a time to be born; to grow up and live her life to the fullest; and there was a time to die. She knew that every stage of life brought with it circumstances and experiences that she had to accept, learn from and live through. Alma, like the writer of Ecclesiastes was a wise and discerning person in many ways. Family members and friends I’m sure benefitted from her wise, discerning counsel. Her family shall always fondly remember Alma and be inspired by her strength and determination to overcome life’s obstacles.   

   In her wisdom and because of her deep faith, she knew how important it was to turn to God the Source. As Jesus promises in our gospel passage: “Anyone who comes to me I will never drive away.” Alma knew and trusted in that promise and I’m sure that with all of her heart she would love for you to trust and know that promise too, and act upon it. However, as Alma knew and trusted, the promise didn’t stop there. Jesus promises that it is the Father’s will: “that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.”   

   For those of us who believe in the resurrection, sorrow is trumped by joy; death is trumped by life; grief is trumped by hope. And so we can joyfully sing our goodbyes to our loved one—trusting that they shall share in new, resurrection life with Jesus Christ the risen Lord and Saviour.  

   Alma loved music, she studied for and obtained her Grade 8 conservatory and played the piano. She loved to sing in the church choir too. As Alma’s chaplain, over the years, I came to realise that she especially loved music—both singing and dancing. Whenever musicians came to the Good Samaritan Society facility, Alma would like to attend and participate with great enthusiasm. Attending the weekly Hymn Sings was no exception. Alma seemed to be fully alive with great joy when she could sing her best loved hymns. In her years over at Cottage B, I would come weekly and have a Worship Service with the residents. I would bring along a box of percussion instruments to play. Alma just loved it, and she played with great relish a small drum. When she sang the familiar hymns, she would sing them most often by heart without the hymnbook.  

   “Abide With Me” was one of Alma’s all-time favourite hymns. And today we included it along with the others to help us sing our goodbyes to her. Actually all three of the hymns were chosen by Alma. “Abide With Me” was written by the Rev. Henry Francis Lyte, who served as minister in Brixham, Devon, England. In Brixham, every evening at six o’clock, the chimes of the Church there play Rev. Lyte’s hymn “Abide With Me,” as an evening blessing and prayer embracing all of the townsfolk. A prayer that has now come into fulfillment for Alma in a more complete way as her Saviour came to take her to himself and to her heavenly home.

   I’m sure that Alma will be smiling down upon us here today, and perhaps even singing or playing along with us in that place of her eternal rest. For we can take heart in those wonderful words of Jesus to his disciples and us—that we need not fear death or life beyond it if we place all of our trust and faith in God, like Alma did. Jesus has now called his faithful servant Alma Ida Bellagente to her eternal dwelling place—the Father’s house. Now her suffering and pain is over, she is at peace. There she can feel secure and live in eternal joy evermore singing, playing, and dancing in the presence of all the company of heaven—including her loved ones who have gone before her. One day, by God’s grace, we too shall join her in the heavenly choir, orchestra and dancing troupe. Amen.  

    

Creative Challenge 265: Colourful

Abstract

 

This week I decided to go with one of my digital art pieces, which I did last month rather than a photo. It intentionally, I hope, has a "stained-glass effect." When I think of colour [yes, one of my Canadianisms is that I spell it with an u] I am reminded of several things. The beauty of God's creation, with all of the diverse, panoramic shades of colour; the different thoughts and emotions that colour evokes within us human beings; and the sheer joy of the gift of having eyes to see and be inspired by colours. You can check out the other entries here.

And the message is?

I see the following American cultural artifacts are now available in Christian bookstores. This appeared on www.familyChristian.com

 Hmmm, wonder what that's all about? Are they promoting duck hunting or telling viewers that if you want to be a Christian, then you have to hunt ducks? Is it another "orthodox" requirement, like confessing the creed? ;-)

Creative Challenge 264: Hanging in the balance

I took this photo at our local July 1st Canada Day Celebration in the park. Check the other entries out here.

Creative Challenge 262: Mature

Old friends visiting

Who is a friend?

One who will spend

times of joy and sorrow,

walk with you tomorrow,

journey on the road of life,

inspiring whatever is right.

Visit other entries here.

 

 

 

 

Creative Challenge 261: Clear Skies

 

Here's my contribution to this week's theme. Last night I took this photo of a gorgeous full moon in an almost clear skies. Check out other entries here.

Creative Challenge 260: Under the

Under the Maple Street bridge

the view is different than on top.

Check out other entries here. 

Creative Challenge 259: The Key

The Key

He is always with you and me

Yet so many fail to see

That he sets us free

From a life of tyranny.

His love is beyond measure,

Flowing like a river.

The water’s never bitter,

Welcoming saint and sinner.

He gives us life without end,

So I am humbled to spend

A lifetime serving him,

My Key and greatest Friend. 

Check out other entries here.

Creative Challenge 258: Memory

A memory I have is typing with an old, now antique Underwood typewriter that looked something like this one. One thing I do still miss is the sound these old machines made while typing. It also reminds me of "The Typewriter" by composer Leroy Anderson, which you can listen to here. For other Creative Challenge entries click here.

Creative Challenge 256: Natural

                Ferns and forest on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Visit the other entries here. 

Creative Challenge 255: Seek

 

Like this walking pathway, the pathway of our lives has many unexpected turns with high and low places; peaceful and not-so-peaceful climates; light and darkness; new and old; sorrow and joy. Like the forest that we see here along this pathway our lives see the forest; yet so often we miss the beauty and significance of each tree. Who is that looking at me? The still, small voice speaking revealing the truth that "It is not you who seek and find me, but I seek and have found you." Check out the other entries here.

Creative Challenge 253: Instrument

Street musician performing on a type of hammer harp-dulcimer, downtown Nuremberg, Germany. I was told that these musicians are often travelling Gypsies. View other entries here.

Creative Challenge 252: In the beginning

In the beginning I can imagine the act of creating being accompanied by J.S. Bach's majestic organ works played on a pipe organ something like this one in St Jakob's Church, Rothenburg, Germany. View the other entries here.

Creative Challenge 251: Searching

Searching the Bible for God's endless and priceless, eternal treasures. You can view other entries here.

Creative Challenge 250: Twist

Twist s

 

Instead of walking with your feet and clapping with your hands,

clap with your feet and walk with your hands.

Hang your pictures upside down.

Try eating different combinations like ice-cream in your chicken noodle soup,

or peanut butter on your potatoes.

Wear your hat or cap inside out,

put a runner on your left foot and a sandal on your right foot.

Try to carry a conversation with a spouse, a child or a friend by

speaking your sentences chronologically from the last word to the first word,

or simply learn how to speak and read Hebrew from right to left. 

 Check out the other entries here.  

 

Rosewood

Last night I watched, on one of the movie channels, the 1997 film, Rosewood, which tells the disturbing story of the 1923 Rosewood massacre in Florida. The movie—even though it portrayed the evil-minded, racist thinking and behaviour of white Americans in the south—was most upsetting. The movie shows how fear of the other—in this case Afro-Americans—combined with racist stereotyping and lies can lead to out of control vigilante violence.

   The white mob, including members of the Ku Klux Klan, engage in a mad and evil hunt of a black man whom they falsely believe raped a white woman. The woman in fact cheated on her husband and was beaten by the white man whom she had sexual intimacy with. However she falsely accused a black man of sexually violating her, and the mob mentality escalates in an all out war against Afro-Americans who are falsely accused of collusion in the incident, many of them innocently killed, and their homes and property destroyed.

   There are two heroes in particular in the movie, Mann (Ving Rhames) an Afro-American WW I veteran and John Wright (Jon Voight) a white merchant, both of whom protect and orchestrate an escape of the Afro-Americans out of Rosewood onto a train. There are other whites who also are not racist and protect the Afro-Americans—those who run the train and a group of armed white men from a the next community who stop the mad vigilante men of Rosewood from pursuing further the blacks. The sheriff of that community speaks well of the Afro-Americans, stating that they are law-abiding citizens.

   Another motif of the movie was how strong matriarchs like Aunt Sarah (Esther Rolle) were the respected pillars of the Afro-American family system, and even earned the respect, grudgingly, of the mob sheriff.

   The movie all-in-all is what I would refer to as in the genre or category of: “reveal the truth even if it enrages, offends, upsets, and disturbs the audience with explicit acts of violence fuelled by evil, false, dehumanizing, hate-filled language.” Not an easy movie to watch, yet highlighting such biblical truths as: love your neighbour; do not bear false witness against your neighbour; and in Christ there is neither Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, [white or black]; for all are one in Christ Jesus.          

Gabriel's Oboe

Today I came across this beautiful and melancholic composition, "Gabriel's Oboe," from the movie The Mission. Whenever I listen to it I get a lump in my throat, goose-bumps, and it's all I can do to hold back tears. Those who remember the 1986 movie, Jeremy Irons is the Spanish Jesuit priest who wins the trust of the Guarani community by playing his oboe, and establishes a Christian mission among them. 

Creative Challenge 247: Playtime

Creative Challenge 247: Playtime

Sorry folks for going a bit serious here. What comes to mind is a play and a playwright, Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People.

   In this play, Dr. Stockmann makes the discovery that the town Baths were poisonous and polluted by the tanneries from a neighbouring town. The public Baths were the major economic base of the town, as well as “the” tourist attraction.

   When Dr. Stockmann shares his discovery with the editor, assistant-editor and printer of the town newspaper, all three respond in what seems to be a very liberal-minded way. Mr. Havstad, Mr. Billing, and Mr. Aslaksen all appear to be in favour of publishing the truth about the Baths. It would appear that all three men accept the doctor’s discovery and stand behind him all the way.

   However, when the town’s Mayor, Peter Stockmann, the doctor’s brother, talks to Hovstad, Billing, and Aslaksen, they quickly change their opinions. The Mayor browbeats all three men into submission, threatening that their newspaper would die out and the town would be destroyed if they printed the truth about the Baths. All three men quickly conclude that they cannot print the doctor’s discovery. Their own selfish interests were more important than the truth.

   Dr. Stockmann’s insightful response to these three liberal media men was to reach the conclusion that expediency ultimately turns morality and justice upside down, ultimately making life unbearable.

   Read more contributors to this Creative Challenge here. 

Creative Challenge 246: Have you ever noticed?

Creative Challenge 246 –Have you ever noticed?

Have you ever noticed that when you travel the same route to work every day for many years, one day you see something interesting that you’ve never noticed before, yet was there all along?

Have you ever noticed that a faithful friend always shows up or phones or sends you an e-mail at the right time?

Have you ever noticed that when you stop to count all of your blessings, no matter how poor you may be materially, you are rich spiritually?

Have you ever noticed how a baby’s smile or laugh can bring the gift of joy to a room full of people?

Have you ever noticed that even the longest nights are too short when you and those you love are together engaged in meaningful conversation? 

You can contribute and/or read other posts here.