Holiday Adventures
Brian Reid
June 24, 2007
Peggy and I went on a short vacation, a few weeks ago. We attended a Pastor’s and spouse’s retreat in Yarmouth for 3 days and 2 nights (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday), which was quite interesting. Left there, “sailed’ across on The Cat to Bar Habour, Maine – in very, very rough water, lots of fog and wind. Not a nice trip at all. Many people, including myself, were sick. I took some Gravol, and had a sleep, while Peggy spent a lot of her time, out the back of the ship, soaking in the fresh air.
We got into Bar Harbour at 9 pm, after a 4-hour tour (normal crossing is 2 – 2.5 hours). Lots of motels right after we got off the boat, but we decided to drive for a while, and get something to eat. So we did that.
The next motel we found was after we crossed the boarder to Canada, NB, in St. Stephens, at 2:30am.
Got up the next morning (Wednesday) and drove to Saint John. Went to the City Market and few other places. After we were finished, we tried to find the road to Moncton and got lost. The streets and roads in and out of the City are not marked very well at all. I went over that big bridge and paid my toll, to the same man twice, before I finally found a way out. I think the city of Saint John does that so people can easily find their way into the City, but not easily find their way out.
Well, we had to take the road to Fredericton/Sussex, to get to Moncton – who would have thought - that! Well got into Moncton at 4:30 and went straight to First Baptist Church to find a friend of ours and, past youth pastor – Rev Colin Cook.
Colin was the youth pastor at Kentville Baptist and Joy was the choir director there, while Colin attended Acadia Divinity College.
Sure enough, we found him – and, eventually, got invited back to his house for supper, and to visit with his wife Joy, and their 2 young daughters.
After supper and a short visit, we left Colin and Joy’s and drove to Sackville, NB and got a motel for the night. Not much in Sackville, a motel, gas station, the University (Mount A, I think), Oh, most important a Timmies.
Got up Thursday morning, had the continental breakfast. Ya’ know I ain’t much on this continental breakfast thing.
I think they should change the name of ‘the continental breakfast” to;
“We’re too busy to cook for you, breakfast”
“The, we’re lazy, get your own breakfast, breakfast”
“The, all the dry cereal and toast you can eat, breakfast.”
None-the-less, we ate and left – stopped off at Timmies, first though.
Drove to Shubanacie (spelling?) Wildlife Park. Peggy is so fascinated by wildlife. I often wonder if that’s what drew her to me in the first place? We spent almost 2 hours observing, the always sleeping, animals. Every time I have ever gone to a wildlife park, the animals seem to be always sleeping. Don’t they know that their main purpose in life, is to show off and entertain us? They are to be the exhibitionists, and we the voyeurs?
Seems very sad to me. I once spent 23 days as an exhibit, for a fundraiser for Canadian Mental Health Association; talking with people and answering questions about Mental Health and the importance of seeking help. So, I can relate to the animals being on display.
After visiting with the animals, Peg and I left for Lower Sackville; I wanted to check out a few motorbike shops.
I took a short-cut to get to Lower Sackville, which turned out – not to be a short-cut at all. Yes, we got lost.
From there we drove to the valley to our daughter’s place. It was so nice to see her. We rested for a while, got something to eat; and then I took Peggy and Tanya to the movies. We saw Shriek-3. Now, I’m not a big Shriek fan, I have watched the first movie, but skipped the second one, and was not interested, in the third, at all; but I knew they wanted to see it – so we went. And low and behold, I enjoyed myself and even laughed (some – OK – alot).
Came back to Tanya’s house and crashed for the night. I must say, of all the beds I have slept in, in my 47 years, Tanya’s bed is the most uncomfortable-ist.
Got up Friday morning, did some running around and around 6pm, we meet up with our friends, Betty and Bob Keddy; and followed them to their camp on Black Duck Lake, in East Dalhousie. We had a great weekend visiting with them and catching up with all the happenings from Kentville Baptist.
Friday night we had chili for supper. It was good, not too spicy, but spicy enough (as we found out the next day). We sat out on the deck (Friday night) and enjoyed the lake, until the black flies drove me inside. For some reason, black lies, mosquitoes and the such, just love me. Went inside and went to bed.
Now, I have to retract my previous statement about Tanya’s bed being the worst, well I have changed my mind. The mattress that Betty and Bob gave us to sleep on was the most, worst. It was lumpy and hard; and both Peggy and I, got a spring jabbed into us, in the middle of the night. I think maybe Betty and Bob had it set so that when Peggy and I decided to snuggle, then the springs were activated as a safety feature.
Got up Saturday morning, ate a huge breakfast. Unlike that continental breakfast, a few days ago, we had our choice of; coffee/tea, apple/orange juice, blueberry pancakes, bacon, eggs (any style) and toast (white or whole-wheat). Now, that’s a breakfast!
After breakfast, we got out the canoes, and hit the lake. Peggy and I soaked ourselves with Sun Block, but by the time we got back to shore, the fronts of our legs were red-hot (and burning).
The canoeing was wonderful –so relaxing. The water was like glass – so calm, smooth and cool. Unlike our legs, which were, by now, bright red and very hot to the touch.
After our canoeing, we decided to go to Mahone Bay, for the afternoon. It was only an hour’s drive and the weather was great. Once there, we parked the car and walked the small streets, and ‘peroused’ the shops.
Left for home/back to the camp, for it was getting late (7pm) and our steaks had been marinating for close to 6 hours. So, we got home at 8, cooked the steaks and ate at 9:00 pm. The steaks were wonderful; I had mine medium-rare. Bob did an excellent job BBQing those steaks on the BBQ, he found at the side of the road, during clean-up week. Well-done, Bob.
Went to bed – oh, I told Bob of our concerns for our sleeping arrangements, and even though he would not give up his soft and comfy bed, he did cut off the 2 protruding springs and turned our mattress over. “There,” he said. “That should make all the difference in the world!”
Well it did!!! That night’s sleep was 10 times worse than the night before. We had laid on the good side, the previous night. When I woke up Sunday morning, I could hardly move or straighten out my back; and Peggy and I, still got speared by the springs.
We then rushed around, had a cup of tea and a piece of toast, because we wanted to catch the 9:30 service at the East Dalhousie Baptist Church.
Well, we did make it on time for the service, but we were either a week late or a week early. Apparently, services at this church are every-other Sunday, and we were there on the wrong Sunday; and as Betty puts it, it was Bob’s fault for not checking with someone, the night before.
Back to the camp we went, cooked the second half of our breakfast, while Bob (then) called around to see where the services were being held. At the breakfast table, Bob explained that we had indeed just missed the weekly service, by a week.
You see, the church was part of a field of three.
Pastor Robert Gates preaches in East Dalhousie every other Sunday at 9:30 am, then preaches at Springfield United Baptist Church every Sunday at 11:00; and on the other Sundays, that he is not at East Dalhousie, he is at the third church at 9:30. I never did find out where that third church was.
“Well,” Bob said. “I know where the church in Springfield is; it only takes about 30 minutes to get there from here.”
“Well,” Betty said. “We’ll leave 45 minutes early – just in case.”
We got ready, and at about 10 or so, decided to leave for church at Springfield.
Bob said, “Brian, you and Peggy can lead and Betty and I will follow. You go here, then here and turn here. No problem. And if you turn in the wrong direction, I will simply blow my horn.”
Betty said, “Bob, you can lead and Brian can follow us.”
Bob said, “That will work too.”
So, off we went, with Bob (and Betty) in the lead and Peggy and I following behind – quickly. We went there, and went there, and turned there. No problem. Peggy was keeping a watchful eye on the time.
Now, as the time was getting closer and closer to 11, Peggy and I were getting worried about being late – with no church on the horizon for miles.
Suddenly Bob does a u-turn and he pulls up beside us.
“Well,” Bob said. “I took a wrong turn back there.”
“Well,” Betty said. “Next time, Brian, you can lead.”
Off we go again, high-tailing it (that means going really fast), and 5 minutes later we pulled into the parking lot at Springfield Baptist Church – with 5 minutes to spear!
Pastor Gates met us at the door, welcomed us and invited us in.
The first thing I noticed about the church, is there is only one way in; which means, there is only one way out. The door opens and you come in, right by the pulpit; which also means the pastor can see who’s coming and who’s going – and he can keep a watchful eye on everyone.
Another thing I notice was that the floor, of the sanctuary, was not level; it’s slated, much like our loaf here. I think this is another safety feature that people like to ‘spring’ on others.
So, let me set the scene. The pulpit is at the front of the church, beside the only door, and the floor is slated TOWARDS the pulpit. I think that this was done on purpose, and was a true design element.
I think the reason it was done, was for those who like to sneak-out early, and they would get thrown off balance (by the floor being slated or tilted), and maybe fall, then, because the floor is slated, that person would start to roll, right down the centre of the church – for all to see; and roll right down front, stopping only when they hit the pulpit – as the pastor watches everything.
I think we could use something like that here.
The service and the music was good; even though the pastor was a bit long-winded. I’m sure glad that never happens here.
After the service, we said our goodbyes to our friends, Betty and Bob, and drove home. Our vacation was not really what we expected and we were so very glad to be home.
Now, don’t get me wrong, we enjoyed our vacation, we are glad we got away, for a few days, and nothing that happened Quenched the Spirit of our vacation.
In life, sometimes things happen, not as we expect.
In life, sometimes things happen, that we don’t foresee.
In life, sometimes things happen, that we sooner not experience.
But, in life, it is our attitude that determines our outcomes. We only get out of life, what we put into it. For some, their self-fulfilling prophecies create for themselves a life of pain, suffering and negativity.
Peggy and I didn’t let all those bad things, that happen on our vacation, to deter from the vacation itself. We took everything in stride, and made the best of every situation – for our Spirit was not quenched, not stifled, not reduced, extinguished, doused, smothered, suffocated, suppressed or repressed.
We had a terrible vacation, and we enjoyed it. We may have looked forward to getting home, but the focal point of our vacation was alive and well, for we did not Quench the Spirit.
For it is the Spirit, God’s Holy Spirit, that leads the way, that watches over us, that creates in us, that sense of happiness and peace. Nothing could have taken that away from us.
As you travel the roads of life, as you experience things that you sooner avoid, as you are tossed about by the storms of life, as you live the life that God gave you; remember Paul’s instructions to the Thessalonians:
“Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you, who belong to Christ Jesus.
Keep away from every kind of evil. Hold on to what is good. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said.
And…and…do not Quench the Spirit!”
Let’s Pray.
Dear God,
Life is hard sometimes and we get discouraged. We experience pain and suffering, and we are perplexed. What should we do, where should we go, how should we proceed?
Help us, Dear Lord, find our way.
Help us, Dear Lord, to see the good in everything and everyone.
Help us, Dear Lord, to appreciate what you do in our lives.
Help us, Dear Lord, not to Quench the Spirit.
Amen.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
“Answer That Phone”
“Answer That Phone”
by Brian Reid – June 17, 2007
Have you ever phoned someone, numerous times in one day or over a couple of days, and not gotten an answer?
You’ve called and called and called – but there just wasn’t any response. You wonder why.
You wonder where they are.
Have they gone away, suddenly?
Is the phone broke?
Has something happened to them?
Are they hurt, maybe lying on the floor unconscious?
Many things race through your mind, and the more you call, the more you get concerned – so you finally decide to go over and check on them.
You hurry over, expecting the worst; you rush in, and there they are, sitting at the kitchen table, sipping tea.
Are you all right?
Are you hurt?
Where have you been?
Is everything OK?
They calmly say; “Everything is fine. Why, what’s up?”
You say something like; “What’s up? What’s up? I’ve been trying to call you for days, and you didn’t answer! That’s what’s up!”
“Oh,” they say. “I saw it was you on the phone, but I didn’t feel like talking, so I didn’t answer.”
‘Call Display’ is a wonderful, and very convenient tool to have on your phone. The phone rings, you walk over to it, and peer down to see who it is.
Then! Then, you decide whether you want to talk to that person or not. You might say to yourself;
“Oh, that’s the Pastor. I wonder what he wants.”
“Well, that’s 3 times today that she has called me. She really must want me to do something.”
“That’s him again. Why does he always call me, and tell me about his problems. I’ve told him a 100 times what to do.”
“Um, she phones me every, single, day; and yaks and yaks about nothing. I really don’t like her that much.”
Does that sound familiar?
Now, on this phone, let me tell you who called Peggy and I, over the last few days…
(cordless black phone)
‘Call Display is good and bad, at the same time. Screening your calls can make people mad and frustrate others trying to get through. Screening your calls does have its good points. For example, we don’t have to bother with the telemarketers, or other annoying people.
Let me ask you this. How many times has God, your Father called you, and you have looked down at the ‘Call Display’ and said;
“There He is again, I wonder what he wants; really must want me to do something; why does he always call me; phones me every, single, day; I really don’t like Him that much.”
Does that sound familiar?
From our scriptures, we know that…
Samuel was a Judge, a Prophet and a Priest. Samuel was called by Father God, and Samuel’s life is a true testimony, of what God can do in our lives, and what we can do in our lives, for God.
And we also know that…Hannah was a barren woman, unable to bear children. In Old Testament times, a childless woman was considered a failure, to her husband and to society. Children were a very important part of the economic structure of that time – for children were a source of labor for the family.
Hannah had good reason to be discouraged and bitter towards life, and towards God; but instead of retaliating or giving up hope, Hannah brought her problem before her Heavenly Father.
She prayed:
“O lord Almighty, if you will look down upon my sorrow and answer my prayer, and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.”
Upon her request, and in due time, Hannah gave birth to a son, and she named him Samuel. Because of what she had promised, when Samuel was weaned from his mother (about 3 years old), she presented him to Eli the Priest, at the Tabernacle in Shiloh, to serve in the House of the Lord.
In dedicating her only son, this once - barren woman, was dedicating her entire life and future to God. Because Samuel’s life was a gift from God, Hannah was not really giving him up; rather, she was returning him to God. For God had given Samuel to Hannah in the first place.
In his years with Eli, Samuel grew in faith with his Father God, and his mother visited him often and brought robes and other necessities for him. Samuel stayed with Eli the Priest, and served the Lord. And as he grew taller, he also continued to gain favor with the Lord – and with the people.
1 Samuel 3:1;
“Meanwhile, the boy Samuel was serving the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.”
Although God had spoken directly and audibly with Moses and Joshua (and others), His word became rare during the 3 centuries of rule by the judges. By Samuel and Eli’s time, no prophets were speaking God’s messages to Israel. The people, including Eli’s own sons, either refused to listen to God, or allowed greed to get in the way of any communication with God at all.
Verses 2 & 3;
“One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had just gone to bed. The Lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle, near The Ark of God.”
Eli the Priest would have been about 88 years old. He stayed in a room adjacent to the sanctuary, with Samuel actually sleeping in the Temple itself. The Lamp of God had not gone out yet, which may indicate that the time of day was early morning. The burning of the Lamp, indicates the Devine Presence.
The Tabernacle was a portable sanctuary (a tent), that served as a place of worship for the Israelites (during the wilderness period - of the Exodus0. It was a temporary meeting-place for our Father, God and His children. Also called ‘the Tabernacle of the Congregation’ or ‘the Tent of Meeting.’
‘The Ark of God’, ‘The Ark of the Covenant’, ‘The Ark of Yahweh’, ‘The Ark of Testimony’ was the scared object; where the Presence of the Lord was believed to dwell, as He communicated with, and led His people through the wilderness, to the Promised Land.
The Ark was kept in the Holy of Holies, the Most Holy Place, the inner-most room of the Tabernacle; where only the High Priest could enter once a year. In front of the Most Holy Place was the Holy Place, a small room where the scared furniture of the Tabernacle was kept. Just outside the Holy Place was a courtyard, with small rooms where the priests stayed.
Samuel most likely slept here with the other priest, only a few yards away from the Ark of God.
Verses 4 – 8;
“Suddenly, the Lord called out, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’
‘Yes,’ Samuel replied. ‘What is it?’ He jumped up and ran to Eli.
‘Here I am. What do you need?’
‘I didn’t call you,’ Eli replied. ‘Go back to bed.’
So he did.
Then the Lord called out again, ‘Samuel!’
Again, Samuel jumped up and ran to Eli.
‘Here I am,’ he said. ‘What do you need?’
‘I didn’t call you, my son,’ Eli said. ‘Go on back to bed.’
“Samuel did not yet know the Lord, because he had never had a message from the Lord before.”
“So now the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel jumped up and ran to Eli. ‘Here I am,’ he said. ‘What do you need?’”
“Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy.”
It would have been customary for an audible message from the Lord to be given to the Priest Eli, and not to the child Samuel. For, Eli was older and more experienced, and Eli held the proper position, but God decided on Samuel. God choose Samuel. God choose a boy over a Priest – why?
God’s chain of command is based on faith, not on age or position. God’s chain of command is based on faith.
Verse 9;
“So Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again say: Yes, Lord, your servant is listening.’
So, Samuel went back to bed.”
Eli recognized God’s calling to Samuel, and he knew that God often uses unexpected channels to get His messages across to His people. For God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
God chooses those whose faith is strong. God could choose you and could ask you to do something for him. Something great and noble, such as David or Moses. He could ask you, to simply follow His ways, and tell others about His saving grace; such as the boy, Samuel.
Sometimes we question our faith and we wonder if it will last or stay alive. But, just asking those questions, without giving in, or giving up, shows you still have some faith in your faith. God also has faith in your faith, and He calls to those who He knows will do a great job.
Verse 10;
“And the Lord came and called as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’
And Samuel replied;
‘Yes, Lord, your servant is listening.”
Samuel took the advice of his friend Eli, and listened for the sound of God’s voice. He actually listened for God. He cleared everything else out of his mind, lay there, silently, in the darkness, waiting. And God did not disappoint him, and God called to Samuel; and Samuel heard the voice of His Heavenly Father - Samuel heard the voice of Father God.
Listening and responding is vital, in a relationship with God. Although our Father, does not always use the sound of a human voice, He always speaks clearly through His Word. To receive His messages, we must be ready to listen, and to act upon what He tells us. Like Samuel, we must be ready to say “Here I am Lord,” when God calls us into action.
For Samuel, he had never heard or received a message or revelation from God before, so when it came, he didn’t recognize it. We are much the same. We pray and ask for a miracle or a sign, but when it comes, we fail to identify it and miss it. For Samuel, God called him 3 times and 3 times Samuel knew not it was God. Only after Eli had brought it to his attention, did Samuel recognize God’s forth calling.
Sometimes in life, there are signs that we are unaware of, until someone points them out. Today, God’s small voice is often not heard because of everything that’s going on around us. As the Grinch points it; “All the noise, noise, noise!”
TV, radio, video games, chat rooms, MSN; hatred, war and violence. All these things, and so much more distract us from hearing God’s audible, small voice. But if we find a place of solitude, open our minds, and read the Bible; then the Lord’s voice, through His Word can be heard.
God’s voice is be heard by reading and understanding the Bible; through sincere prayer, by recognizing the many miracles and gifts He gives us daily, by acknowledging the wonder around us as His work, and by the feeling deep within us of peace.
On this Father’s day, as we listen to the interaction of Fathers and Children, remember that our Heavenly Father is calling to us;
“Come, be part of the Family of God, hear me when I speak, respond to my Word, cherish the love I offer; and Answer That Phone.”
Let us pray;
Blessings upon you!
Happy Father’s Day; one and all.
by Brian Reid – June 17, 2007
Have you ever phoned someone, numerous times in one day or over a couple of days, and not gotten an answer?
You’ve called and called and called – but there just wasn’t any response. You wonder why.
You wonder where they are.
Have they gone away, suddenly?
Is the phone broke?
Has something happened to them?
Are they hurt, maybe lying on the floor unconscious?
Many things race through your mind, and the more you call, the more you get concerned – so you finally decide to go over and check on them.
You hurry over, expecting the worst; you rush in, and there they are, sitting at the kitchen table, sipping tea.
Are you all right?
Are you hurt?
Where have you been?
Is everything OK?
They calmly say; “Everything is fine. Why, what’s up?”
You say something like; “What’s up? What’s up? I’ve been trying to call you for days, and you didn’t answer! That’s what’s up!”
“Oh,” they say. “I saw it was you on the phone, but I didn’t feel like talking, so I didn’t answer.”
‘Call Display’ is a wonderful, and very convenient tool to have on your phone. The phone rings, you walk over to it, and peer down to see who it is.
Then! Then, you decide whether you want to talk to that person or not. You might say to yourself;
“Oh, that’s the Pastor. I wonder what he wants.”
“Well, that’s 3 times today that she has called me. She really must want me to do something.”
“That’s him again. Why does he always call me, and tell me about his problems. I’ve told him a 100 times what to do.”
“Um, she phones me every, single, day; and yaks and yaks about nothing. I really don’t like her that much.”
Does that sound familiar?
Now, on this phone, let me tell you who called Peggy and I, over the last few days…
(cordless black phone)
‘Call Display is good and bad, at the same time. Screening your calls can make people mad and frustrate others trying to get through. Screening your calls does have its good points. For example, we don’t have to bother with the telemarketers, or other annoying people.
Let me ask you this. How many times has God, your Father called you, and you have looked down at the ‘Call Display’ and said;
“There He is again, I wonder what he wants; really must want me to do something; why does he always call me; phones me every, single, day; I really don’t like Him that much.”
Does that sound familiar?
From our scriptures, we know that…
Samuel was a Judge, a Prophet and a Priest. Samuel was called by Father God, and Samuel’s life is a true testimony, of what God can do in our lives, and what we can do in our lives, for God.
And we also know that…Hannah was a barren woman, unable to bear children. In Old Testament times, a childless woman was considered a failure, to her husband and to society. Children were a very important part of the economic structure of that time – for children were a source of labor for the family.
Hannah had good reason to be discouraged and bitter towards life, and towards God; but instead of retaliating or giving up hope, Hannah brought her problem before her Heavenly Father.
She prayed:
“O lord Almighty, if you will look down upon my sorrow and answer my prayer, and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.”
Upon her request, and in due time, Hannah gave birth to a son, and she named him Samuel. Because of what she had promised, when Samuel was weaned from his mother (about 3 years old), she presented him to Eli the Priest, at the Tabernacle in Shiloh, to serve in the House of the Lord.
In dedicating her only son, this once - barren woman, was dedicating her entire life and future to God. Because Samuel’s life was a gift from God, Hannah was not really giving him up; rather, she was returning him to God. For God had given Samuel to Hannah in the first place.
In his years with Eli, Samuel grew in faith with his Father God, and his mother visited him often and brought robes and other necessities for him. Samuel stayed with Eli the Priest, and served the Lord. And as he grew taller, he also continued to gain favor with the Lord – and with the people.
1 Samuel 3:1;
“Meanwhile, the boy Samuel was serving the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.”
Although God had spoken directly and audibly with Moses and Joshua (and others), His word became rare during the 3 centuries of rule by the judges. By Samuel and Eli’s time, no prophets were speaking God’s messages to Israel. The people, including Eli’s own sons, either refused to listen to God, or allowed greed to get in the way of any communication with God at all.
Verses 2 & 3;
“One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had just gone to bed. The Lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle, near The Ark of God.”
Eli the Priest would have been about 88 years old. He stayed in a room adjacent to the sanctuary, with Samuel actually sleeping in the Temple itself. The Lamp of God had not gone out yet, which may indicate that the time of day was early morning. The burning of the Lamp, indicates the Devine Presence.
The Tabernacle was a portable sanctuary (a tent), that served as a place of worship for the Israelites (during the wilderness period - of the Exodus0. It was a temporary meeting-place for our Father, God and His children. Also called ‘the Tabernacle of the Congregation’ or ‘the Tent of Meeting.’
‘The Ark of God’, ‘The Ark of the Covenant’, ‘The Ark of Yahweh’, ‘The Ark of Testimony’ was the scared object; where the Presence of the Lord was believed to dwell, as He communicated with, and led His people through the wilderness, to the Promised Land.
The Ark was kept in the Holy of Holies, the Most Holy Place, the inner-most room of the Tabernacle; where only the High Priest could enter once a year. In front of the Most Holy Place was the Holy Place, a small room where the scared furniture of the Tabernacle was kept. Just outside the Holy Place was a courtyard, with small rooms where the priests stayed.
Samuel most likely slept here with the other priest, only a few yards away from the Ark of God.
Verses 4 – 8;
“Suddenly, the Lord called out, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’
‘Yes,’ Samuel replied. ‘What is it?’ He jumped up and ran to Eli.
‘Here I am. What do you need?’
‘I didn’t call you,’ Eli replied. ‘Go back to bed.’
So he did.
Then the Lord called out again, ‘Samuel!’
Again, Samuel jumped up and ran to Eli.
‘Here I am,’ he said. ‘What do you need?’
‘I didn’t call you, my son,’ Eli said. ‘Go on back to bed.’
“Samuel did not yet know the Lord, because he had never had a message from the Lord before.”
“So now the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel jumped up and ran to Eli. ‘Here I am,’ he said. ‘What do you need?’”
“Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy.”
It would have been customary for an audible message from the Lord to be given to the Priest Eli, and not to the child Samuel. For, Eli was older and more experienced, and Eli held the proper position, but God decided on Samuel. God choose Samuel. God choose a boy over a Priest – why?
God’s chain of command is based on faith, not on age or position. God’s chain of command is based on faith.
Verse 9;
“So Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again say: Yes, Lord, your servant is listening.’
So, Samuel went back to bed.”
Eli recognized God’s calling to Samuel, and he knew that God often uses unexpected channels to get His messages across to His people. For God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
God chooses those whose faith is strong. God could choose you and could ask you to do something for him. Something great and noble, such as David or Moses. He could ask you, to simply follow His ways, and tell others about His saving grace; such as the boy, Samuel.
Sometimes we question our faith and we wonder if it will last or stay alive. But, just asking those questions, without giving in, or giving up, shows you still have some faith in your faith. God also has faith in your faith, and He calls to those who He knows will do a great job.
Verse 10;
“And the Lord came and called as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’
And Samuel replied;
‘Yes, Lord, your servant is listening.”
Samuel took the advice of his friend Eli, and listened for the sound of God’s voice. He actually listened for God. He cleared everything else out of his mind, lay there, silently, in the darkness, waiting. And God did not disappoint him, and God called to Samuel; and Samuel heard the voice of His Heavenly Father - Samuel heard the voice of Father God.
Listening and responding is vital, in a relationship with God. Although our Father, does not always use the sound of a human voice, He always speaks clearly through His Word. To receive His messages, we must be ready to listen, and to act upon what He tells us. Like Samuel, we must be ready to say “Here I am Lord,” when God calls us into action.
For Samuel, he had never heard or received a message or revelation from God before, so when it came, he didn’t recognize it. We are much the same. We pray and ask for a miracle or a sign, but when it comes, we fail to identify it and miss it. For Samuel, God called him 3 times and 3 times Samuel knew not it was God. Only after Eli had brought it to his attention, did Samuel recognize God’s forth calling.
Sometimes in life, there are signs that we are unaware of, until someone points them out. Today, God’s small voice is often not heard because of everything that’s going on around us. As the Grinch points it; “All the noise, noise, noise!”
TV, radio, video games, chat rooms, MSN; hatred, war and violence. All these things, and so much more distract us from hearing God’s audible, small voice. But if we find a place of solitude, open our minds, and read the Bible; then the Lord’s voice, through His Word can be heard.
God’s voice is be heard by reading and understanding the Bible; through sincere prayer, by recognizing the many miracles and gifts He gives us daily, by acknowledging the wonder around us as His work, and by the feeling deep within us of peace.
On this Father’s day, as we listen to the interaction of Fathers and Children, remember that our Heavenly Father is calling to us;
“Come, be part of the Family of God, hear me when I speak, respond to my Word, cherish the love I offer; and Answer That Phone.”
Let us pray;
Blessings upon you!
Happy Father’s Day; one and all.
“The Best Is Yet To Come”
“The Best Is Yet To Come”
By Brian Reid
"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come, and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David” (Luke 1:68-69).
Mankind was created with a Holy and godly nature, in fellowship with the Lord. But, by means of free-will, suspicion and unbelief, that covenant was broken by ‘mankind.’ Sin was the result.
Sin is that lack of conformity to God’s moral covenant; which is moral evil. Sin is also defined as anything in ‘mankind,’ which does not express, or is contrary to, the Holy Character of God - the Creator; it is a transgression of, or rebellion against God’s laws.
And it was because of Adam and Eve, and the original fall, in the Garden of Eden, that all who are ancestors of them, shall also Sin.
Salvation is the saving of something from harm, destruction, or difficulty. In Christianity, salvation is deliverance from sin, or the consequences of sin; by the intervention of God. For God saw the problems and knew the consequences of sin, but He also provided the solution to sin; for God uses own His son as an atonement for the sins of all “mankind.”
Sin and evil keep us from the enjoyment of God’s blessings, either by commission or omission, intentional or accidental. But, through, trust in, and dependence on, God, we are saved. It is only by this trust, that we allow, and accept Christ to be that instrument (of salvation).
Salvation comes (only) through repentance and whole-hearted commitment to Christ, as Lord and Savoir of our lives.
As a person lives their life, and does not follow God commandments (and struggles); they feel the pain of sin: guilt, shame, isolation, feeling unfulfilled. Along their journey they will hear ‘bits & pieces’ about God, Jesus Christ and salvation. Once that person’s interest is ‘peaked,’ they may start to listen more closely, do their own research, attend church (occasionally), and start asking questions.
During that discovery process, they learn the deeper meaning of being delivered from sin, separated from evil, set free, released, rescued, and saved from the influences of Satan. Once the person has some understanding, they are encouraged to look to the Bible to answer more of their questions, such as: Why do I need to be saved? How will I be saved? Who will save me?
Sin acts as that separation that keeps us from having fullness of life – in Christ; as outlined in John 10:10. “I have come that you would have life and have it abundantly.”
God loves us and wants us to live in peace, and have a life, abundant with joy.
How?
Romans 5:1; “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
God wants us to live guilt-free, without shame and not in isolation. For when we are still ‘living in sin,’ we are isolated from God; there is a separation between us, and the Lord. Because God gave us free-will, some of us choose to disobey Him.
Romans 3:23 tells us; “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
By following God’s law, His commandments, instructions; we strive to live a life Christ-like. This brings us closer to God and bridges that gap of isolation.
God’s link between us, the sinners, and salvation, that connection, that union, that bond, that tie, that bridge… is the Cross.
Jesus died on the cross to satisfy the wrath of God for all those who did not, and do not, follow His law. Jesus died once, and for all.
He did this to cover all the sins that anyone ever committed and for those sins we have not committed yet. He did this all on one day, with one single act of compassion.
By a personal invitation from God, we make a decision to trust in Jesus and give our life to him; then something wonderful happens.
Romans 10:9; “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
John 1:12; “Yet, to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…”
It is our response, through free-will, that we accept Christ to be our saviour and leader in life; and we become Children of God.
This known as Conversion, and happens when we turn away from what we know is wrong (evil and sin), and turn to God, through Christ.
Ezekiel 33:11; “Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways.”
It is in this Repentance that we admit our wrongdoings and sins (confession), and ask God to forgive us. In our hearts we must be willing to make that turn. For, conversion is, and should result in, a change of behaviour, in the believer.
In the process of salvation, Conversion is the first step in our transition from evil to good, from sin to God. Once the Holy Spirit enters us, we are changed - forever.
2 Corinthians 5:17; “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
With Christ’s spirit working upon our hearts, the course of our life (and our actions), are changed, & they are forever.
By means of this acceptance of Christ (as our saviour), and Lord of our lives, we receive Justification; which is an act whereby God says that we are no longer guilty of our wrongdoings (forgiveness). A change-of-state occurs. We were once condemned; now through the work of Jesus Christ (and nothing else), we are saved; and through the mercy and grace of God, we are justified (forgiven).
Regeneration is being ‘born again’ or ‘to be restored.’ It is a spiritual change brought about in the heart of someone, by an act of God; in which their sinful nature is altered, and by which they able to respond to God in faith.
John 1:13; “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God; children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.”
1 John 3:9; “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.”
Another phase in the process of salvation is Sanctification: a process of becoming clean. To sanctify something is to make it holy, pure, clean; and to set aside for God. It may refer to a person, place or anything used to worship or glorify God.
The Israelites were set apart, from the rest of the nations of the world.
Exodus 19:5 & 6; “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations, you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
We, too, are set apart to be Holy; and a treasured possession.
In a person, it is the gracious and continuous process of God’s Holy Spirit, in which he purifies the sinner. Sanctification is an inner work; and we need to cooperate with it. We are made more useful for God’s work, by being sanctified. It is a process and we are all works in progress; for Sanctification does take time.
Salvation is not so much a convincing of a sinner, to turn away from his/her wrongdoings and sin, than it is, a convincing of a sinner to turn to Jesus Christ. The Christian is simply admitting that they are helpless over sin, and hands it over to God. God then eliminates it from our lives, through Christ’s death upon the cross.
Finally, salvation is a gift from God, freely offered, without any conditions. You cannot earn salvation through your good works, for salvation has no stipulation.
In Philippians 1:27-28, Paul is encouraging the people – and he tells us also;
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you, or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending, as one man, for the faith of the gospel, without being frightened in any way, by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.”
The path of salvation, starts with knowing that everyone sins and falls short of the glory of God. Next, is a realization that the penalty for sin is death; a separation from God, and an inability to gain eternal life.
Finally, salvation comes (only) through having a personal relationship with Christ. To be forgiven of our sins, we must confess them, and believe that Jesus died to cover our sins, and that He is Lord.
As a pastor, and a Christian, I know that God sent his son into this world, not to condemn it, but to save it (John 3:17). I know that Jesus died for our sins, and He rose triumphantly, again in life, and, I know He will come again to call his children home (that’s us).
I know that God sent Jesus, to be our one and only saviour (John 3:16), and I know that we are saved, not by following any law or deeds (that we may do), but, by God’s grace and mercy; combined with our belief and acceptance in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8-10; “For it is by grace, you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by your works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works, which God prepared in advance, for us to do.”
Also, I know that only through God’s grace, that our lives are filled with His peace. Because of God’s mercy towards our sins, and because of Christ, taking our place, and paying the debt, that we could never pay, that we can live eternally.
For me personally, forgiveness is the most important aspect of salvation. I know that God forgiving me, has had the greatest impact on my life. To be able to start fresh, with a clean slate, that is very humbling.
For, I know that when I slip and fall, I still have God’s forgiveness through repentance – you can too. I confess my wrong-doings and turn away from my actions, and continue on my walk; knowing that Christ walks with me – He walks with you as well.
It is only through God, that we can succeed in what we do; what we were called to do. It is only through our weaknesses, that we find God’s true strength.
And, in all this, through all God’s promises, because of the presence of the Holy Spirit, and because of the many miracles of Christ, I know, and I want you to know, that “The Best Is Yet To Come!”
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”
Our Communion Hymn, will be sung by the Choir. And as they gather in the front, I ask you to listen to the words, listen to the feelings expressed in this song, listen for God’s touch: “When Love Is Found.”
By Brian Reid
"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come, and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David” (Luke 1:68-69).
Mankind was created with a Holy and godly nature, in fellowship with the Lord. But, by means of free-will, suspicion and unbelief, that covenant was broken by ‘mankind.’ Sin was the result.
Sin is that lack of conformity to God’s moral covenant; which is moral evil. Sin is also defined as anything in ‘mankind,’ which does not express, or is contrary to, the Holy Character of God - the Creator; it is a transgression of, or rebellion against God’s laws.
And it was because of Adam and Eve, and the original fall, in the Garden of Eden, that all who are ancestors of them, shall also Sin.
Salvation is the saving of something from harm, destruction, or difficulty. In Christianity, salvation is deliverance from sin, or the consequences of sin; by the intervention of God. For God saw the problems and knew the consequences of sin, but He also provided the solution to sin; for God uses own His son as an atonement for the sins of all “mankind.”
Sin and evil keep us from the enjoyment of God’s blessings, either by commission or omission, intentional or accidental. But, through, trust in, and dependence on, God, we are saved. It is only by this trust, that we allow, and accept Christ to be that instrument (of salvation).
Salvation comes (only) through repentance and whole-hearted commitment to Christ, as Lord and Savoir of our lives.
As a person lives their life, and does not follow God commandments (and struggles); they feel the pain of sin: guilt, shame, isolation, feeling unfulfilled. Along their journey they will hear ‘bits & pieces’ about God, Jesus Christ and salvation. Once that person’s interest is ‘peaked,’ they may start to listen more closely, do their own research, attend church (occasionally), and start asking questions.
During that discovery process, they learn the deeper meaning of being delivered from sin, separated from evil, set free, released, rescued, and saved from the influences of Satan. Once the person has some understanding, they are encouraged to look to the Bible to answer more of their questions, such as: Why do I need to be saved? How will I be saved? Who will save me?
Sin acts as that separation that keeps us from having fullness of life – in Christ; as outlined in John 10:10. “I have come that you would have life and have it abundantly.”
God loves us and wants us to live in peace, and have a life, abundant with joy.
How?
Romans 5:1; “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
God wants us to live guilt-free, without shame and not in isolation. For when we are still ‘living in sin,’ we are isolated from God; there is a separation between us, and the Lord. Because God gave us free-will, some of us choose to disobey Him.
Romans 3:23 tells us; “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
By following God’s law, His commandments, instructions; we strive to live a life Christ-like. This brings us closer to God and bridges that gap of isolation.
God’s link between us, the sinners, and salvation, that connection, that union, that bond, that tie, that bridge… is the Cross.
Jesus died on the cross to satisfy the wrath of God for all those who did not, and do not, follow His law. Jesus died once, and for all.
He did this to cover all the sins that anyone ever committed and for those sins we have not committed yet. He did this all on one day, with one single act of compassion.
By a personal invitation from God, we make a decision to trust in Jesus and give our life to him; then something wonderful happens.
Romans 10:9; “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
John 1:12; “Yet, to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…”
It is our response, through free-will, that we accept Christ to be our saviour and leader in life; and we become Children of God.
This known as Conversion, and happens when we turn away from what we know is wrong (evil and sin), and turn to God, through Christ.
Ezekiel 33:11; “Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways.”
It is in this Repentance that we admit our wrongdoings and sins (confession), and ask God to forgive us. In our hearts we must be willing to make that turn. For, conversion is, and should result in, a change of behaviour, in the believer.
In the process of salvation, Conversion is the first step in our transition from evil to good, from sin to God. Once the Holy Spirit enters us, we are changed - forever.
2 Corinthians 5:17; “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
With Christ’s spirit working upon our hearts, the course of our life (and our actions), are changed, & they are forever.
By means of this acceptance of Christ (as our saviour), and Lord of our lives, we receive Justification; which is an act whereby God says that we are no longer guilty of our wrongdoings (forgiveness). A change-of-state occurs. We were once condemned; now through the work of Jesus Christ (and nothing else), we are saved; and through the mercy and grace of God, we are justified (forgiven).
Regeneration is being ‘born again’ or ‘to be restored.’ It is a spiritual change brought about in the heart of someone, by an act of God; in which their sinful nature is altered, and by which they able to respond to God in faith.
John 1:13; “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God; children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.”
1 John 3:9; “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.”
Another phase in the process of salvation is Sanctification: a process of becoming clean. To sanctify something is to make it holy, pure, clean; and to set aside for God. It may refer to a person, place or anything used to worship or glorify God.
The Israelites were set apart, from the rest of the nations of the world.
Exodus 19:5 & 6; “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations, you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
We, too, are set apart to be Holy; and a treasured possession.
In a person, it is the gracious and continuous process of God’s Holy Spirit, in which he purifies the sinner. Sanctification is an inner work; and we need to cooperate with it. We are made more useful for God’s work, by being sanctified. It is a process and we are all works in progress; for Sanctification does take time.
Salvation is not so much a convincing of a sinner, to turn away from his/her wrongdoings and sin, than it is, a convincing of a sinner to turn to Jesus Christ. The Christian is simply admitting that they are helpless over sin, and hands it over to God. God then eliminates it from our lives, through Christ’s death upon the cross.
Finally, salvation is a gift from God, freely offered, without any conditions. You cannot earn salvation through your good works, for salvation has no stipulation.
In Philippians 1:27-28, Paul is encouraging the people – and he tells us also;
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you, or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending, as one man, for the faith of the gospel, without being frightened in any way, by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.”
The path of salvation, starts with knowing that everyone sins and falls short of the glory of God. Next, is a realization that the penalty for sin is death; a separation from God, and an inability to gain eternal life.
Finally, salvation comes (only) through having a personal relationship with Christ. To be forgiven of our sins, we must confess them, and believe that Jesus died to cover our sins, and that He is Lord.
As a pastor, and a Christian, I know that God sent his son into this world, not to condemn it, but to save it (John 3:17). I know that Jesus died for our sins, and He rose triumphantly, again in life, and, I know He will come again to call his children home (that’s us).
I know that God sent Jesus, to be our one and only saviour (John 3:16), and I know that we are saved, not by following any law or deeds (that we may do), but, by God’s grace and mercy; combined with our belief and acceptance in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8-10; “For it is by grace, you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by your works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works, which God prepared in advance, for us to do.”
Also, I know that only through God’s grace, that our lives are filled with His peace. Because of God’s mercy towards our sins, and because of Christ, taking our place, and paying the debt, that we could never pay, that we can live eternally.
For me personally, forgiveness is the most important aspect of salvation. I know that God forgiving me, has had the greatest impact on my life. To be able to start fresh, with a clean slate, that is very humbling.
For, I know that when I slip and fall, I still have God’s forgiveness through repentance – you can too. I confess my wrong-doings and turn away from my actions, and continue on my walk; knowing that Christ walks with me – He walks with you as well.
It is only through God, that we can succeed in what we do; what we were called to do. It is only through our weaknesses, that we find God’s true strength.
And, in all this, through all God’s promises, because of the presence of the Holy Spirit, and because of the many miracles of Christ, I know, and I want you to know, that “The Best Is Yet To Come!”
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”
Our Communion Hymn, will be sung by the Choir. And as they gather in the front, I ask you to listen to the words, listen to the feelings expressed in this song, listen for God’s touch: “When Love Is Found.”
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