Windows On The Soul

In this past week, we have heard the trumpet call to remembrance of the Armistice and of the men and women who gave their lives in the defense of our country. Trumpets played a prominent role in Old Testament life. In rural civil life, it sounded the alarm of impending attack, calling the people together to close ranks, with a common purpose of defense. In religious life, the silver trumpet (shofar) announced special assemblies, feasts and holy days. Then in the month of ‘Tishri’ (October), a rams horn ‘shofar’ was blown to announce the ‘new year’ and to summon the nation to a week of spiritual preparation for the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). The ram’s horn was a reminder of God’s provision of the substitutionary lamb for Abraham to sacrifice instead of Isaac ( Gen.22 ). The week of preparation involves self-examination, repentance and putting-right, but it is God who provides “atonement” (wiping out of the debt). In the New Testament, the trumpet is rarely mentioned. T...

“In spring, blossom decorates the land and transforms familiar sites (and sights) into fairytale settings. Sedentary souls stir from winter’s long sleep and awake into spell-bound romantics. Hope comes alive - In Spring”. The tragedy of this past week has seen another young woman cut down in the prime of life, like our first spring flowers crushed by the hail storm. Not even a Shakespearian tragedy comes close to portraying the intrigue, manipulations, jealousies, bigotry, adulation, etc. that has surrounded this kindergarten teacher come princess. Yet it will be her charitable and humanitarian work that the world will remember, at least in the short term. How history records these events remains to be seen - history’s record is not good in remembering good works. It is these later works that remind us of another young man, in another place and time, cut down in the prime of his life. A man tempted in every manner possible, yet free of sin. A man who dared to touch l...

From now on, Australians will have more reason than ever before to associate the month of April with grief and suffering. With ANZAC day, the anniversary of the Port Arthur tragedy, and overseas, Dunblaine and Okalahoma City, the fact and impact of evil in the world are very much to the fore in our minds and hearts. Yet April is usually also the month of Easter. In the crucifixion, God is telling us that evil, pain and suffering are the reality and result of a world in rebellion with God. Then in the next breath of life after death, we are shown that evil is not ultimately omnipotent, but rather impotent, for through His resurrection, Christ has over-come sin and death. ( Mt.26:28 , Jn.16:33 ) “That’s all very well on the spiritual battleground” you might say, “but what about those of us grieving or suffering here and now?” Jesus had two things to say to all of us. Firstly, that He has come to bring good news, comfort and healing to the poor, destitute, homeless, sick and...

In times like this past week, it is good and right to remember that "peace" comes with a price; that the eternal war between good and evil requires eternal vigilance. And yet the "remembrances" in places like Bosnia has been so destructive - each side "remembering" and bearing grudges in a never-ending "tit-for-tat" over the centuries. The Bible is full of injunctions to remembrance, because when " your houses are full of good things...when you have eaten and are full, then beware lest you forget the Lord " ( Deu.6:11-12 ). The principal object of remembrance should be God. " Remember the works of the Lord...I will meditate on your mighty acts " ( Ps.77:11-12 ). " Remember His mercy and truth " ( Ps.93:3 ). Secondly, we must " Remember His commandments and keep them "( Ps.103:18 ), and " Remember the words of Jesus " ( Lk.22:61 ). When it comes to our sin, we are to " Remember how far you/w...

These last couple of weeks have reinforced for me, the importance of having a store of precious memories. Not just remembering the past, but doing special things with family that will be our future special memories. As children, our special remembrance days tend to be self-centred - others remember us at birthdays and Christmas. In our youth, our focus is all on the future, and things of the past are rejected. In the parenting years we are confronted with the miracle of a new generation growing up and memories become important. As we walk in valleys of the shadow of death all our accumulated memories take on a poignancy. The bible calls us to remembrance as an act of worship. Memories of sins forgiven we are instructed to forget. Mostly we are called to remembrance as a discipline, to learn from the past, to call us to repentance, as a comfort or revival in the low times. Other references are to special affections and fellowship. ----xxxXxxx---- Lk.22:19 "This i...

" I'm as old as my tongue and a little bit older than my teeth " was my dear old grandfather's reply whenever we kids asked him his age. It is true though, that we measure ourselves in different ways by celebrating anniversaries and birthdays. Today, nine of our young people take a further step in their experience of spiritual rebirth. The bible is very strong on anniversaries. The Hebrew year is signposted with festivals, holy convocations, times for special worship, thanksgiving, offerings and rejoicing for what God has done. The Christian Church still keeps two of those ancient festivals - Passover (Easter) and Pentecost and added its own special remembrance in Christmas. But it's a pity we don't celebrate our personal spiritual rebirthdays like our natural birthdays (imho). Celebrate!!! ----xxxXxxx---- Lev.23:4 "These are the feasts of the Lord, even Holy convocations which you shall proclaim in their season." Jn.3:5 "Je...

At this time of year, a mini-building boom occurs across Israel, as Sukkot (Tabernacles) approaches (Sept.20 this year). Councils prune trees and leave piles of branches on the road side for residents to use to make their temporary shelters or sukka . Even the newspaper real-estate sections advertise apartments with "a sukka balcony", so even high-rise city dwellers can have somewhere to sleep under the stars during the feast. As we celebrate our church anniversary Temple Day, I was reminded of the Feast of Tabernacles. The children of Israel celebrate God's guidance (by the cloudy pillar of fire) and provision (with manna and water from the rock) as He brought them out of Egypt, through the Sinai desert to finally reach the promised land after 40 years. As we celebrate our anniversary, lets remember that " Where God guides, He provides ". ----xxxXxxx---- Lev.23:33-36 "The Festival of shelters lasts 7 days...come together for worship" Deu.2:...