Traditionally, lent has been a time of reflection and spiritual discipline.  Often during lent, people focus on prayer, fasting, and giving.

Last year I spoke about fasting; but not just fasting in the sense of giving up food; but fasting in the sense of giving up anything that hinders our spiritual growth.  Notes from my message last year can be found here.

This year I've been focusing on giving.  Giving as a spiritual discipline.  Giving not what we are required to, but giving over and beyond what is expected.  Giving when there is no expectation of return.

Interestingly, our district church has also decided to focus on giving this year during lent.  They've prepared a Lenten Season Invitation, which includes a whole list of suggested "Acts of Kindness".

I'm writing to you today to encourage you; this year instead of giving something up, why not try giving something out.  Of course, giving something up is always a good idea too, but I want to especially emphasize the opportunity for personal spiritual growth through thinking of others.

Starting today until Good Friday... can you take up the challenge to do something for someone with no thought or expectation of return?  It might be harder than you think.

Is there some way you can give your TIME to someone?  Maybe visit someone in the hospital or in a nursing home?  Maybe take someone out for coffee?  Maybe give someone a ride somewhere?  Maybe look after someone's children for an evening?

Is there some way you can give your TALENTS to someone?  Maybe help someone take care of a repair that is needed?  Maybe prepare a meal for someone and deliver it?  Maybe help someone in some other way?

Is there some way you can give your TREASURES to someone?  Maybe give away something that you DO need?  Or, if you have two of something, give away the BETTER one?  Maybe give some cash to someone who is struggling?

I really want to encourage you to participate in lent through GIVING.  Jesus said it best,  “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

And when you give, if you have a special experience you would like to share; our district has a web page set up for people to share your thoughts and experiences during lent.

Thanks so much, for giving me a few moments of your time in reading this.  I really encourage you to find a way, each day, to live out God's grace into someone's life.

A CBC news report on May 27 warned Canucks fans that “overindulging during the long run to the Stanley Cup Finals could be hazardous to their waistlines.”  With many fans flocking to bars and restaurants the report said that “we’re eating easily a 1000 calories extra than we’re supposed to at a single meal and that can add up to maybe five or 10 pounds… during the series”.

 I am fairly confident that this is correct information.  What’s interesting was the online response following the report.  Among the responses were:

• “Who. Cares.”
• “Obviously dieticians have no clue about the Stanley Cup playoffs!”
• “Choose a salad, she says…. hahahahahaha!...that's hilarious!”
• “Hopefully the Canucks score lots of goals, jumping out of your seat cheering must burn some calories.”

But the comment that caught my attention was the very first one: “Back off lady and mind your own business” followed by a close runner up: “Save the do-gooder lecture and pass the pork rinds.”

I have to say, that on the one hand I feel a sense of relief. It’s not just me. It’s not just the gospel message.  It’s not just about every moral value our country has held dear until recent years.  Our cultural mindset rejects just about every single form of teaching that has anything to say about what a person does and how a person lives.

And that’s the problem.

We have a mindset that basically says that no one can tell me anything, that I am the final decision maker on all things pertaining to me.  Never mind what is “good” for me.  Never mind if others are offended.  Never mind if something is inherently right or wrong.  The only thing that matters is what “I” think and if you so much as even suggest that I am doing something wrong then you need to “back off” and “save the do-gooder lecture”.

That’s what we’ve become.  No one can tell you that the choices you make are wrong.  If you want an abortion, who is to say that you can’t?  If you want pre-marital sex, well, what are you waiting for?  If your spouse isn’t fulfilling your needs, there are plenty of other people around. If you want to “marry” someone of the same sex, that’s entirely up to you.  It sounds like a page right out of the book of Ephesians: “Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more” (Ephesians 4:19).

But it comes at a cost.  When society continually rejects any and all forms of instruction, even something as basic as trying to limit salty foods and calorie-laden beer, how can I be surprised when the message of the gospel is rejected?  I can’t.  But that’s not to say there won’t be an effect.  History has shown that whenever a society is bent inward, focused on “what’s good for me” instead of what’s true and right, then that society is heading towards failure.  Moral collapse is inevitably followed by social collapse.  They go hand in hand.

Now, more than ever, we need to be people who respectfully let the voice of reason and truth be heard.  Jesus said it well, “He who has ears, let him hear”.

When I was a little lad growing up in Montreal, I remember a bakery not too far from our house. It had a large poster out front that said “You don’t have to be Jewish to love Cantor’s Bagels”.  And that’s a good thing, because those bagels in Montreal were one of a kind. A real treat.  I don’t remember much about my childhood, but I do remember that.  Maybe it’s because it involves food.  Guys seem to always remember food.   “You don’t have to be Jewish to love Bagels”.

If we can take that concept and modify it a little, we come up with another statement that I believe is very relevant to us today.  And that is this: “You don’t have to be Catholic to love Lent”.

And I say that because historically, it has been the Catholics and Orthodox churches that have recognized Lent; but in more recent years a growing number of non-catholic churches have been participating in this annual event.

Many of us have heard of Lent, but for most of us Lent is still a mystery. We have a vague concept that it has something to do with food, and some of us might even know that it begins on Ash Wednesday (a few days from now), but we don’t know much more.  We wonder what Lent is, and perhaps more importantly, what place it can have in our lives.

What does Lent mean?  The word “Lent” comes from the [Teutonic / Germanic] word for springtime; probably because it happens in the spring.  Some have suggested that Lent can be seen as a time for a spiritual spring-cleaning; a time to take spiritual inventory and clean out the things that mess up our lives. And that makes sense because Lent is often associated with getting our spiritual lives in order; whether it’s through fasting, self-denial, sacrifice or even simplicity - getting back to the basics of life; asking, “do I really need this and that in my life.

As I’ve thought about it, I’ve realized that a good theme verse for Lent would be Hebrews 12:1: “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.”

This verse encompasses so much of meaning of Lent; a time to put ourselves in a position where we can recognize the things that hinder and the sin that so easily entangles.  A time for us to take a look at our lives and really examine what’s going on; where we’re headed, and what’s helping and what’s hindering – kind of like taking a spiritual inventory (or, if you’re the military type, think of it as a spiritual boot camp).

In short, Lent is a period of time when we specifically focus on our personal spiritual condition and take the steps necessary to walk closer with the Lord.

When does Lent begin?  It is very fitting that Lent begins on what is called “Ash Wednesday”.  Many times in the Old Testament, when people were in mourning, they would sit in ashes. Ashes were a symbol of mourning and repentance. (Job, Mordecai, Ninevites). And so it is, that for many Christians, the season of Lent begins with the symbolic placing of ashes, often mixed with oil, on their forehead to symbolize repentance.

Sometimes we balk at symbolism and ritual – kind of like we’re afraid of it.  But we don’t need to be. There’s nothing wrong with symbolism or ritual – provided that people participate in it with the right intentions.

For example; we encourage all believers to be baptized.  Baptism is full of symbolism.  But if a person is being baptized just for the sake of doing it, then baptism won’t mean anything.  Same with communion.  Same with any other ritual.  But that doesn’t make the ritual any less valid.

And of course, the same is also true with the 40 days of Lent. If you’re wondering why it’s 40 days, it’s because the fasting of Lent is modeled after the fasts of Moses (before receiving the Ten commandments), Elijah, and of course, Jesus, before he began his public ministry.

Now, if you’re the quick calculating type, you’ll know that there are more than 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and that’s because Sundays are exempt from Lent. It’s not that we don’t need Spiritual Growth and Discipline on Sundays, but Sundays are “the Lord’s Day” and have always been days of celebration.

So how exactly do we participate in Lent?

Historically, the primary means of participating in Lent has been through fasting. That’s the oldest tradition.

Now, there are all sorts of fasts, and in some church traditions it can get rather complicated. Some fasts required you to abstain from all meat, except on Fridays when you could have fish. Some fasts were required of anyone between age 18 and 59, unless their health prevented it. Some fasts permitted one regular meal a day. Some fasts included no dairy products, etc, etc.

The fact is, the method of fasting has varied throughout the centuries; but one thing that has not changed is the focus – and that is spiritual discipline. The whole purpose of fasting is a spiritual exercise, not a dietary exercise. The goal isn’t to lose a few pounds; it’s to restore spiritual discipline.

And of course, it’s not just food that we can fast from.  Today, many people give up other things instead of, or along side of food. For some people, their “fast” might include television, or computers, or social networking (that’s becoming more and more popular these days – especially with young people). Really, anything that might be taking control of our lives could be a suitable thing to fast.

Lent gives us that opportunity to enter into that spiritual exercise of doing away with whatever it is that might be taking over our lives.  But regardless of what we “fast”, we need to accompany our fasting with prayer.  And that’s the key.

Ezra 8:23: “So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer”.

The church at Antioch wanted to send Barnabas and Saul on a mission, but it was only “after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:3).

And later on, when Paul and Barnabas were appointing elders in the churches, Acts 14:23 says, “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”

We would do well to spend time in fasting and prayer.  But what are we to pray for?

I suggest we go back to Hebrews 12:1 and ask ourselves what are the things that hinder and the sins that so easily entangle.  What are the things or situations or habits that are taking control of our lives?  What are things or situations or habits that are causing complexity and chaos?

Is there something in my life that I should be doing without? Is there something in my life that is causing me to be distracted from my spiritual well being? Is there something that the Lord would tell me; it’s time to give it up? Is there something that would simplify my life?  And that’s maybe the “key word” I want us to focus on.

I suggest that this year, for Lent, we all ask ourselves this simple question: What do I need to do to lead a simpler life?  Better yet, take that question to prayer.  What are the things that are making my life complicated?  Is there any “baggage” that is slowing me down or tripping me up?  Is there something I can do without; something that has taken control over my life?

Think about it.  Pray about it.  And, as the Lord leads you, consider turning it over to Him.  After all, you don’t have to be Catholic to love lent!

Debt-free living is a possibility (yes, that even includes a mortgage). But it won’t happen overnight, and it won’t happen unless you take some specific steps to get there.

What can you do? These are not given in any particular order, but they will serve as a good place to start.

1. Change your attitude. Don’t accept debt as “normal”. The Bible is clear on it’s attitude toward debt – it’s not a good thing!

2. Make a commitment not to take on any more debt. Learn to laugh at the “buy now, pay later” offers. Don’t consider “low monthly payments”, consider “how much will this cost me in the long run”.

3. Develop a plan for spending money. A plan doesn’t restrict you, a plan sets you FREE to spend according to your plan. If you don’t make a plan, you will most likely find yourself spending more than you bring in (or in ways you do not intend), which inevitably means “debt”.

4. Understand ownership. It may be in “your” bank account, but as a Christian we know that it not only comes from God but ultimately belongs to God. Use it accordingly. Put God first. Tithe.

5. Keep track of spending. How are you going to make adjustments unless you know exactly where your money is going? You need to keep accurate records. The results may surprise you and show you some areas where you can make changes.

6. Adjust your lifestyle. A daily stop at a coffee shop adds up a whole lot. So does eating out. If you drive, plan your trips so you don’t drive more than necessary. And do you really need cable TV? If it means the difference between going into debt or getting out of debt, just how much can you do without? You might surprise yourself.

7. Pay off small debts first. It will encourage you and give you incentive to keep going. Also give at least a little on your larger debts, it will let your creditors know you are trying and doing something about it.

8. Don’t think “if only I had more income, I wouldn’t be in debt”. In almost all cases that is not true. People with high incomes are in great debt. True, you do need some measure of income, but MOST ALWAYS the problem isn’t income, it’s expenses.

9. Don’t be afraid to get some help. A professional (financial advisor) or perhaps even your pastor would be glad to help. But you need to do the asking.

Pastor Norman

People Who Are A Blessing…
People who come to church regardless of distance or convenience.
People who pick up and drive around a van load of youth.
People who are willing to serve on a board or committee.
People who clean bathrooms.
People who see something that isn’t quite right and offer to take care of it.
People who are faithful in supporting the local church financially.
People who come out to prayer night.
People who are quick to forgive when I do/say something I shouldn’t
People who invite others to church.
People who take 3 minutes to pray before the start of service.
People who speak to and get to know our visitors.
People who offer to give rides to church.
People who teach their children the sanctuary is not a play area
People who serve on the worship team.
People who get to know and visit the elderly
People who work with children on Sunday or Wednesday
People who realize that encouragement creates more change than criticism
People who involve their families in the ministries of the church.
People who pray for their pastors.
People who volunteer in the daycare
People who read their bulletins
People who help clean up after pot-luck
People who have become “family” to my children
People who work really hard at something that isn’t mentioned in this list and don’t get upset at me.

You folks ARE A BLESSING and I thank God for you.

We live in a culture that loves to be served.  Whether it’s as extravagant as an all-inclusive vacation on a cruise ship or as simple as going to the local fast food restaurant, we expect (even demand?) that we be served.  Successful fast food restaurants tell you that you can have it your way, convincing us that it’s all about “me”.  All week long we are bombarded with messages telling us that people are ready to serve us and do exactly what we want (just so long as we buy their products or pay for their services). And then comes Sunday. The first challenge we have is simply getting out of bed.  We’ve had a busy week; some folks work two jobs; there’s the kids that need attention; there’s the laundry that is piling up; there’s the dozen “minor” repairs that are needed around the house (and did you know that of all the days of the week, we have guests coming over today?). The list is endless.  We are exhausted from a busy week and Sunday is “ours”.  It’s mine to do with it what I please.  If I feel like getting up, I’ll get up.  If I feel like sleeping in, I’ll sleep in.  If I feel like going for a drive that’s exactly what I’ll do.  It’s my day.  Or so we tell ourselves.

Actually, it is the Lord’s Day.  But in our mindset, where everything is about “me”, it’s easy to forget that. We can find a thousand reasons (some of which are very legitimate) why we can’t be in church.  Our attendance becomes sporadic.  We’ll miss a week here or there.  Then we’ll remind ourselves that so-and-so hasn’t been too friendly lately, or the music was too loud or too new or too old, or the preacher went on too long, and, after all, we can always watch religious programming on television from the comfort of our own couches.  And before we know it, the Lord’s Day becomes Our Day.

Ephesians 5:25 describes how “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”.  In our culture, we tend to give up the church, after all, we all know the church isn’t perfect.  But it’s because the church isn’t perfect, that Christ gave himself for her, because he loved her. Love never fails. Anyone who is in love will know that they count the minutes until they get together with the one they love. No distance is too far, no price is too high. I remember driving from Winnipeg to Toronto just to see the one I love for a day or two.  Love does that.

The Psalmist had it right, “I rejoiced with those who said to me let us go to the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122:1).  Why? Because there was something special about going to the house of the Lord—something that could not be fulfilled in any other way.  It’s the same reason why the early Christians met daily and it’s the same reason why the writer to the Hebrews says “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).

Whether we like to believe it or not, our attendance in church says volumes about our spiritual health.  It is true that going to church doesn’t make us a Christian but as Christians we should be doing everything in our power to get there.  It’s kind of like a bride being reluctant to go to her own wedding.  That sure wouldn’t be a very good sign of things to come.

Wherever you go to church; I encourage you, go regularly, go consistently, and go with an attitude of service.  Because in the end, it’s not my day; it is the Lord’s Day and my opportunity to be a blessing to everyone I meet in church.

Pastor Norman

A little over a week ago the CBC was reporting on a Supreme Court decision in a case involving former employees of a Wal-Mart store in Quebec that closed seven months after the store had been unionized. As with most all CBC stories on-line, readers have the opportunity to comment. The very first comment was indicative of the mindset we are living in today. This is what the writer said, “Hmmm…not a fan of Unions…but that then again not a fan of Wal-Mart and their beliefs either.”

I took note of this comment because it indicates how we tend to line up on different “sides” of an issue. The question this person was asking was, “who am I a fan of?” or perhaps “who/what do I dislike the most?” The decision to choose one side over the other became a matter of what the writers feelings were towards the two parties involved instead of which of the two parties is actually doing something right or wrong. It was a matter of who I “like” instead of who is right.

My interest in writing this commentary has nothing to do with what I think of Wal-Mart or the union; it is about how we make decisions. The question should not be how I feel about the two or more parties involved. The question should be if one or both of the parties involved did in fact do something wrong. In the case of Wal-Mart and the union, I can be the most passionate supporter of unions, but if a place of business didn’t do wrong, then I couldn’t support the union’s “side”. On the other hand, I can be the most determined critic
of unions, but if a business did do something wrong, then I would need to support the union. So in essence, who I am “a fan of” has nothing to do with who is actually right or wrong and who should have my support.

What’s the big deal about this? What does this have to do with us? It has a lot to do with us because much of the decisions that are being made every day, are not based on what is true and right, but based on what the majority of people feel. That’s why we have so many opinion polls. You can not turn on the news without hearing about some opinion poll. You would think that opinion polls rule the world! They have become our god. Whatever the majority of people think, that must be right.

It’s a good thing that Elijah didn’t commission an opinion poll on Mount Carmel. Let’s see; 450 or so prophets of Baal telling him that they were right, with Elijah pretty much standing alone believing that the prophets of Baal were wrong. If that happened today, no question about it, the prophets of Baal would have “won the day”, at least in the newspapers. But right and wrong are not a matter of opinion, they are a matter of truth. And truth is not subject to how we feel about something or someone, it is subject to God’s created order and design.

In our post-modern world we want to take charge of everything, even truth itself. But we can not manipulate truth (at least, not successfully), we can only accept (live by it) or deny it. In answering those who were questioning Him, Jesus said “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).

Next time you are asked your opinion on a matter, instead of responding on how you feel, consider for a minute who or what is actually right.

Pastor Norman

In the 1939 film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a Gypsy woman, Esmerelda, is being pursued by the authorities. In her desperate attempt to get away she runs through the doors of the cathedral. When the pursuers are about to go in after her one of the priests stops them claiming “sanctuary”. Out in the city Esmerelda was vulnerable, but the moment she crossed through the doors of the church she was safe. The sanctuary became a place of refuge for her; a place away from danger; a place where she would hope to find peace.

There was something special about the sanctuary. It was not common ground. It was holy. The word “holy” basically means “set apart”. The sanctuary was a place, set apart from all the common places in the city. Outside you would find the carpenter’s shop, the meat vendor, the bakery, the coffee shop, etc. People would be playing, working, going about their business. There would be vendors buying and selling trinkets and food. In the Old Testament days small and medium sized animals would be sold for sacrifices. But inside the sanctuary everything was different. The sanctuary represented the place where the presence of God was understood; a place where people can come and get away from it all and spend time with God.

Today we consider the meeting area for our worship services a sanctuary. It is set apart. The thing that makes it a sanctuary is not the building itself nor is it the decorations. Three weeks ago Heather and I had the privilege of worshiping in a church in Whistler BC that held its service in a gymnasium. Off to the sides there were basketball hoops. But while God’s people were meeting together in that place for the purpose of worship, it was a sanctuary. It didn’t look anything like our sanctuary, but it was still a sanctuary. It was a place to come and pray and worship the Lord in the company of others who were seeking to do the same. After the service there was coffee and tea served in the gym and some kids did toss around a basketball. But that was after the service. During the service it was a sanctuary - a place of prayer and worship.

I believe that today people are looking for something out of the ordinary; a place where they can put all the things of the world behind them and find refuge in the presence of God; a place that is set apart. One of the most beautiful things is to see people use the sanctuary as a place of prayer, praying individually or one person praying for another. Yes, people can pray at home or anywhere else, but there is something unique about praying in the sanctuary, particularly before or after the worship service.

At the ball park it is perfectly reasonable to come and go as you please, go get a cup of coffee or eat a hot dog while you’re watching. The ball park is an ordinary place. The sanctuary is not. How then can we keep the sanctuary from becoming ordinary and at the same time make people feel comfortable in coming? That is always a difficult thing to balance but I believe it begins with respect. Respect for where we are and what we are doing and respect for those around us who are also worshiping the Lord.

We definitely don’t want to give someone a difficult time because their young child makes some noise. Children are always welcome, even noisy infants. But neither do we want to treat the sanctuary like a coffee shop, coming and going as we please and entering into ordinary conversations. Somewhere we need to find the right balance.

Whereas Esmerelda ran into the church for physical safety, we come to the sanctuary to get away from the ordinary and enter into the realm of the extraordinary - an encounter with the living God. I encourage you to pray about that encounter before the service begins and then use the foyer for fellowship for as long as you like following the service. That way we can both honour God and encourage one another with our conversation.

Pastor Norman

When I think of my father I think of the long hours he worked at two and sometimes three jobs. Being an immigrant in Canada and taking care of his family were very demanding. But I also think of the times we spent picnicking as a family, trips to the zoo, the Quebec City winter carnival, road trips, and camping in New York state.

As I reflect on my own kids growing up I feel a tremendous satisfaction in being a father to them. I haven’t been perfect by any means, particularly when it comes to doing things that I don’t especially enjoy, but we have had many great times together. What an incredible experience to have little children look up to you, trust you, and learn much of life from your own life experiences. What a blessing it is when I see other fathers taking time to interact with their children, playing with them at a picnic, rolling around “wrestling” in the living room (often at the chagrin of their mother), or enjoying the outdoors together. I have learned that children are quick to overlook your faults when they know you love them, which, in the mind of a child, is equated with spending time with them and doing things together. Long gone are the days when fathers were expected to be the “bread winner” while the mother was the only one who developed a relationship with the kids.

Unfortunately there has been a movement that promoted the idea that children don’t need fathers. From the entertainment industry that portrays fathers as buffoons to feminists who flat out reject the necessity of fathers, fatherhood has taken a beating.

The truth is that there are fathers who have really blown it. Let’s face it, some fathers have not been much of a father, (maybe because they didn’t have a father themselves?) and in some homes have made life worse by their presence. But to reject the importance of fathers because a small minority of people managed without a father in the house is like finding a 80 year old smoker and saying that smoking is fine because smoking doesn’t seem to have hurt the 80 year old. We know that smoking kills. Maybe not always, but almost always. And certainly, there will be a few homes in which a father is more harm than good, but by and large children do much better with fathers than without. Statistics confirm it again and again. The percentage of children who are content, productive, and responsible citizens is much higher in two parent families than in homes without a father. When it comes to raising children, there is no substitute for a mother and a father (which is all the more reason we need to stand by and support the single parents in our community).

If you are a father, take pride in raising the next generation of godly men and women. God has given you an incredible and awesome responsibility. Don’t listen to the voices that say you have no part in the lives of children. Enjoy your children. Be involved. Do things together. Teach them the things of God. Set boundaries. Lead by example. Treat their mother with love and respect. And you will be blessed.

God’s Word is true.  Psalm 127:3,5 says it well: “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him… Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.”

For additional resources on fatherhood, check out the Focus on the Family web site at Fatherhood Resources or for general family information, go to the Focus on the Family Main Web Page. They will provide you with much encouragement, resources, articles, research and support.

Pastor Norman