Natalie

So, what’s with the flowers? Wild flowers by the road side can be over looked so easily… but those of us that notice them are blessed by them. So it is with Natalie!

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive 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.

John 1:9-13 NIV

Since we are to be like Christ, and we are his workmanship… why is it that we go into the world and expect to NOT suffer?

Christ suffered!

He wept.

Letting go of the need to be famous, loved by everyone… “entering into his rest” as it is described in the book of Hebrews… is letting go of ALL that stuff.

Look at this one in that respect>

A Living Sacrifice

I appeal to you therefore, brothers,by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:1-2 ESV

I wrote a little while ago about Jesus by that well in John 4…

Oh! And let’s not forget about Hebrews 12:7!

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

Hebrews 12:7

First of all it DOES NOT say, hardship comes from God. Does it?

Consider Ephesians 1:11…

Is it possible to say, rather, that whatever God allows to happen… to endure it as if it is “to teach” us…

That word “discipline” now, I looked it up using the Blue Letter Bible App on my phone here…

OK?

So Ephesians 1:11 has always assured me that God is in control of what goes on in the world. We are at HIS mercy… we feel safe because we are right where he wants us to be!

In 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (click on that to read it in context) Paul’s encouraging word for us is, “…even if you die… God raises the dead.”

If I go through life believing that Christians don’t suffer… and I hit suffering… I ask “Why me!?” I get into my head to blame others, and so hatred builds up, resentment… but that raises them above God, or rather replaces God! OR I am driven in my mind to be feeling condemned for some sin or error… and maybe I need to be healed? 1 John 1:9 it!

Confess it to God, call it sin! He forgives and leads us out! Right?

There’s such a thing as consequences for our actions or words. Sometimes we suffer and we deserve it! If I saw off my leg, I’ll need crutches! if I call that large angry man in front of me a TWIT – I may just get smacked!

Romans 1:21 shows us how we become futile in our thinking, and our hearts become darkened… click on the verse to go see what it says, I’ll wait here 🤣

Although I know God, I neither acknowledge him nor give him thanks… picture this, HE – God himself is standing there, in full view! And we’re pointing our finger at his creation! Claiming they have power over us! And by extension they have over powered God! They got to us… He’s let us down!

That is how and why we give thanks in all circumstances > 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Hand Washing

Background

I made an observation the other day. That came from out of no-where, so I am musing about it.

A friend and I were discussing others.

Yes, we were talking about folks who were not present. Folks who were a source of frustration to us. Sometimes carelessly referred to as gossiping.

But for me, the definition of gossip is when the purpose is for gaining things – like position – through maligning others.

But when I am dealing with hurt, or frustration, and have another person to help me process it, with the ultimate purpose being to understand myself, and the ones being discussed, its in the Spirit of “seeking to understand before seeking to be understood” Stephen Covey.

What we were asking ourselves was why a few were so enthralled with rehearsing the failures of others. They constantly bring up the past errors and missteps of others.

My intuition told me it’s about hand washing… the allusion I’ve already alluded to.

It’s my own inadequacy and failure that drives me to rehearse the failure of others.

What is the alternative?

Acceptance of myself, humility.

Humility can be defined as a correct self assessment. Therefore God himself is humble… He is the almighty God! He knows it!

But what of actually guilt? What does your faith and/or belief system do for your own guilt? If you have the compulsion to wash your hands… maybe you need to reassess things?

But Brene Brown in “Rising Strong as a Spiritual Practice” talks about the angst of not having fulfilled one’s calling. The older one gets… the greater the need to justify – in one’s heart and mind – what one has or hasn’t done!

To be continued?

Don’t Give Up on Me.

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.

1 John 2:9 NIV

21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. 

Genesis 37:21 NIV

In a mutiny at sea, the crew decides to override the rule of the captain, by taking away his authority by force. There’s just one captain, he’s outnumbered before he even gets started!

The mutineers must face the fact that they can never again go to their home port; by rising up against the captain, they are rising up against the King.

Even out there on the ocean, so far away from home, there will inevitably be those who are loyal to the crown, who will either end up dead or in the dingy as it is set adrift alongside their captain.

“Are you for us or against us?”

That will be their call to the crew!

This whole all came to mind as I wrote out Genesis 37’s account of Joseph and his brothers. Reuben in this case tried to save his brother, but they worked outside of his influence. The lie was employed to keep the father in the dark about it.

I had an opportunity, not too long ago, to be on the ship with the mutineers, but I chose instead to be set adrift with the one who was being abandoned. All I had to do was HATE the one they hated, and I’d be in with them and the rest of the crew. And I can’t take credit. I wasn’t even tempted in my heart. I would love, and continue to love this one that they were abandoning.

You still want more, right? Who is it? Well, I have 3 brothers and a sister. One brother’s life situation hit the lowest one can go. He was homeless, addicted to a prescription drug, and suffering life altering side effects from that drug. The side effects led to the loss of his livelihood, he’d already lost his wife and child. He was in South Korea when all this happened. His ex-wife being a good lady, put him on a plane for Canada on April 15, 2023. My oldest brother and I picked him up from the airport.

I didn’t know what we would do. But I knew one of the options was NOT “too bad for you, work out your own problems.”

Yet, another of my brothers, and his wife, while on a call seeking their prayers and support, told me to leave him to the result of his choices. The picture they drew for me was looking out the window of a warm house, with him out in the snow, soon to die of exposure. He got himself to where he was. Let him die there, or live there, but leave it up to him. I couldn’t do that. Not too long after this, they cut themselves off from all of us. They had already abandoned our oldest brother whose life had also fallen apart a couple of years previously, but we his family here, didn’t give up on him, and he’s doing well now.

This one who came on April 15. Its a long story, with many details. But eventually his medications were altered, and the one he’d become addicted to was removed from his regimen. The side effects went away. They had been a voice tremor, and hand tremor. He had been a voice actor in Korea. And he could no longer use his voice.

But his writing is also vital to who he is. He has journaled all his life. And the hand tremors made his hand writing completely illegible. Add to this a life long technology challenge. His use of computers is very limited. So using one to write isn’t the right tool. But the physical act of writing is irreplaceable.

But this brother’s physical, natural world progress isn’t so much my concern, as the eternal one. He is a dear, sweet soul. And I owe much of who I am to this brother, as well as my other 4 siblings. I am the little brother.

Where Do I Belong Now

Home

I wasn’t born where I am living now.

Solsbury Hill is a song that moves my heart. If you click on that title there, it’ll take you to the song lyrics.

Born in Calgary, Alberta > moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba when I was 6 years old > moved to BC when I was 24> moved around from place to place until I find myself here… but am I home?

No.

13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance,admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God,for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16

Do you have an inner longing to be somewhere else? Tell me about it…

WalkingDownVimy@gmail.com

I would like to offer an idea for your consideration.

That inner longing is for the peace that comes from knowing… what?

She left her jar…

I’ll Be Back

Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town 

John 4:28

“God wants you to go and sit beside Jesus and listen to what he says to the Samaritan woman.”

As I meditate on this scripture passage, this one has for a long time now stood out for me. I’ve usually had my mind on her, of course,

But just now I realized that Jesus did nothing about her departure.

  • Hey miss, you forgot your water jar!
  • Why are you leaving?
  • Where are you going?

Jesus had something else going on. The disciples arrived from their trip to the town. He didn’t answer questions they didn’t ask.

Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

John 4:27

Sometimes Jesus confronted those with him about their thoughts, but not this time.

God doesn’t have to explain himself.

But let’s get back to that water jar…

Personally, when I’ve had an encounter of significance, I want to be involved in the follow up. I’ve had business cards made up! I hand them out! And then they never follow up!

But Jesus let em go.

But in Peter’s case…

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

John 21:15

The Well

John 4

Today a Christian brother told me (exhorted me) to do three things …

  1. Play your guitar, and worship the Lord with your wife and son in your home.
  2. Don’t stop writing.
  3. Go to John 4, and sit beside him as he speaks with the woman at the well, he has something to teach you.

Here’s a start>

Jesus Walked from spotlight, over to where his Father was leading him.

He was resting, waiting for his food, expecting it to come from his disciples, interacted with the woman that came midday to draw water from the well.

Listening to the Holy Spirit, speaking truth…

He knew who he was, and who she was, waited for the right time.

Spoke poetically and directly.

Led to others coming…

My food is to do the will of him who sent me…

Father promoted and declared him:

He knew her marital past, and declared it to her.

She recognized him partially… I can see you are a prophet… and she pursued the answer for a question or two… he answered…

But he also lead the conversation… as in he directed it, guided it to a gospel central one… for plain speaking he did some harvesting! Jesus knew where he and she were in the sewing and reaping process… and aggressively 🤔

27-30 At this point his disciples arrived, and were surprised to find him talking to a woman, but none of them asked, “What do you want?” or “What are you talking to her about?” So the woman left her water-pot behind and went into the town and began to say to the people, “Come out and see the man who told me everything I’ve ever done! Can this be ‘Christ’?” So they left the town and started to come to Jesus.

John 4:27-30 JB Phillips

They were interrupted and she ran away? Jesus didn’t pursue… he taught his disciples the points they missed.

When she returned with “the town” He welcomed her fellow citizens, and he spent time with them, and revealed himself to them.

That brother was Vahid.

“Shortly after Vahid and Behnaz left, Laurence, Cheryl and Ashton went out for dinner. They found themselves at their favourite restaurant, and the familiar faces of the staff. While waiting for their meal, Laurence made notes about John 4, according to the directions of Vahid.

They all had a chat now and then with Kris, their waiter.

Before leaving, Laurence followed the Holy Spirit’s lead and spoke with Kris.

Laurence had a heavenly hunch… and he took a risk. Among other things, he confessed to Kris about a time that he’d been callous, jaded, and unloving towards a woman he’d seen as he drove down the road years ago. He made fun of her instead of loving her; praying for her… Kris nodded and said he’s often been the same…

Laurence mentioned that Jesus was loving towards the woman at the well…

Kris shared that his approach is similar to the story of the widow’s mite… he gives all that he has!

Laurence had given Kris his number a few months earlier, but Kris had not yet contacted him. So he asked if he still had that card… Kris asked for another, which he then received… and then Laurence took another Risk…

“I think I’m talking to a brother in the faith!”

“You are!” Kris replied

Romans 1:11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

“Let’s get together and be mutually encouraged by one another’s faith!”

They all drove home, after waving goodbye to Kris.

Shortly after coming home, Kris sent a message to Laurence>

Laurence stored his name and number…

And prayed this prayer>

“ Thank you father for once again giving me a chance to get to know this Christian brother, KRIS , Lord God, I pray that you will unite our hearts, that we will be mutually encouraged by one another’s faith.

In Jesus name, I pray

Amen”

Then he wrote this here that you are reading.

Then he took out his guitar, and played a few of his old tunes, and worshipped the Lord out loud.

Instructions for Christian Households

Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ

To be continued…

Jacob’s Ladder

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”

Genesis 28:16-17 NIV

The place Jacob had found was indeed a physical spot on the earth, one of which you and I could try to find, and to BE there. How many such Holy places are there one wonders? God tells him about where he is, that he was giving this land to him and his descendants,

There above it stood the Lord,and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying… Genesis 28:13

How many years later does Jesus allude to this dream of Jacob’s.

Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” John 1:50-51 NIV

He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. Genesis 28:12

My heart wants to explore this truth…

I never understood what Jesus meant by those words: “ascending and descending on the Son of Man”

In John 4 Jesus tells the woman at the well>

21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

John 4:21-24 NIV

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun…”

Psalm 19:1-4

I hope Joe has come along so far… and patiently waded through to this moment where I’m mentioning him. Joe, I’m not quite sure who, if anyone at all, reads what I write… I feel the need to explain, the need to defend… who I am… maybe that’s ultimately what I need to write about. But this here is more evidence of what you witnessed the other day… myself and a christian brother, sharing with one another… food on the plates, and food in our souls. Communion is one way to put it… but fellowship is also another word for it.

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20

Its God that I love to be with, in the presence of, and interacting with. And the way he’s designed things, its through us loving one another, being with one another, his body… that is true worship, in spirit and in truth…

I was having a time of fellowship with Art, and God had arranged for Joe to come share in his presence (God’s presence) . . . then Joe dared to mention, “I hope you don’t mind, but I couldn’t help listening in…” and Joe found himself warmly invited in… because he is my brother, who loves to be in the presence of the Lord.

This is an ongoing conversation, an ongoing exploration of all these things on my heart, but the focus is:

  • Loving God (reading and meditating on his word)
  • Loving others (reflecting on God’s word, and listening to the musings and reflections of my brothers and sisters in Christ)

Look at me, look at me

There was an incident in North Vancouver that happened last Saturday… I’d gone out there to meet up with Andrew for his Birthday. After picking him up from the Quay, I drove to 15th and Grand Boulevard.

Now Grand Boulevard is a thing which I have never seen anywhere else, if another one like it exists, I don’t know of it. It runs from Keith Road in the south, to 19th Street on the north end of it. It’s about 345 feet wide, and a mile long. On each side there is Grand Boulevard West and Grand Boulevard East, both sides have north/south bound lanes.

I know of this particular portion of it from having been a bus driver in North Vancouver a few years back. As is the need from time to time, I like being accessible to a washroom, and this being the terminus for the 240 bus route, there is just such a thing there. They also have park benches and picnic tables.

It was a wonderful sunny day, and I soon was able to set up my Mexican blanket on a picnic table, and brought along my gift bag full of presents for Andrew that all ran along the same theme> creative writing, specifically Fiction.

But our blissful time was soon marred by the appearance of a man who set up shoppe on that bench you can see just over Andrew’s shoulder there, and on the other pic the blue X was where he came to be, and the black X was our location.

The first thing of note was his Bluetooth speakers, playing loud, visually we could see his guitar case and other such things. The next was the heavily recognizable smell of marijuana smoke. Then out came the Harmonica, and he began to sing loudly.

Now, remember that Andrew and I had travelled to this special spot from far away, to be with one another in a non-commercialized spot. Open to the public. No need to worry about taking business away from the owner of a restaurant, or making a spectacle of ourselves. Our oldest brother, Glenn was possibly going to be discharged from his hospital stay at any moment, so this was the reason for North Vancouver in particular.

The man might as well have come sat down beside us… he completely dissolved the whole bubble of bliss.

Andrew was annoyed, and thought that he’d like to go and discuss this with the man, tell him to leave or shutup… I asked him to not to do so. There were 3 possible outcomes…

1) He complies
2) He resists… and assaults Andrew, and we’d be taking him the hospital
3) Andrew overcomes his resistance, and Andrew is arrested for assault

The first being unlikely, we tried to ignore him, but the man seemed to get louder and louder, like a child who would be noticed.

So this is where some more information was needed. We later went for a visit with Glenn, having to stay in the hospital for at least another night. During which we told him of our interrupted birthday party (we had packed up and left… #4 scenario) Andrew explained that he’d spoken with the man on a previous occasion, when he’d done the same thing at Lonsdale Quay Public market seating area.

The man had told him that due to his sister having passed away he broke his sobriety. An AA member, of which Andrew and Glenn also were. Andrew’s attitude was one of incredulity. Just a reason to drink, you see.

But what is there in plain sight for me, is myself.

Aching to be noticed for my talents and skills… when I get gregarious, and am out in public, I speak outloud to those I’m interacting with, drawing attention to myself… interfering with their peace. Making it about me, thinking that they would later and right then and there be oh so grateful that they’d come across such an entertaining person as I. Andrew also, has done similar.

This man, around our age, broken, alone and in need of relationship… comes alone to this place, to seek an audience… to realize his destiny. Delusions of grandeur.

Neither Andrew and I sought to LOVE that man. Neither of us wanted to set aside our moment, to love like the good Samaritan… we chose the way of the priest and the Levite. To pass by on the other side, simply irritated by the man.

We strive for significance. And resent those in the spotlight who won’t share it with us. By WE I mean ME.

Solsbury Hill

Moved By The Words…

“Grab your things, I’ve come to take you home” and then in the end, once he’s thought the offer over, it’s>

“You can keep my things, they’ve come to take me home”

There’s the epiphany symbolized by the eagle flying out of the night sky…

Climbing up on Solsbury Hill
I could see the city light
Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night

He was something to observe
Came in close, I heard a voice
Standing, stretching every nerve
I had to listen, had no choice

I did not believe the information
Just had to trust imagination
My heart going “Boom-boom-boom”
“Son, ” he said
“Grab your things, I’ve come to take you home”
Hey, back home

To keep in silence I resigned
My friends would think I was a nut
Turning water into wine
Open doors would soon be shut

So I went from day to day
Though my life was in a rut
‘Til I thought of what I’d say
Which connection I should cut

I was feeling part of the scenery
I walked right out of the machinery
My heart going “Boom-boom-boom”
“Hey, ” he said
“Grab your things, I’ve come to take you home”
Hey, back home

When illusion spin her net
I’m never where I wanna be
And liberty, she pirouette
When I think that I am free

Watched by empty silhouettes
Who close their eyes but still can see
No one taught them etiquette
I will show another me

Today I don’t need a replacement
I’ll tell them what the smile on my face meant
My heart going “Boom-boom-boom”
“Hey, ” I said
“You can keep my things, they’ve come to take me home”

Solsbury Hill

Explained in this article>

9. It’s about Genesis, but it doesn’t have to be. The story of “Solsbury Hill” — of personal epiphany, of hard decision-making, and of breaking free — was unsurprisingly interpreted to be inspired by Gabriel’s split from his old group, and the singer-songwriter has explained, “It’s about being prepared to lose what you have for what you might get, or what you are for what you might be. It’s about letting go.” It makes sense, and it certainly enriches the song to know just why Gabriel was worried about his friends thinking he “was a nut,” for making the risky choice to leave his best-selling group to go his own way.

But it doesn’t really matter. The beauty of Peter Gabriel’s first solo single isn’t in its backstory, it’s in its foreground — every word and every note carrying the tingling feeling of inspiration, of the entire world being right there at your fingertips. Really, the details of Genesis’ career arc feel like small potatoes within the realm of the song’s grandeur, as would any other such literal explanation. Some songs just feel like they’re about something greater, and “Solsbury Hill” is one of them.

Billboard Magazine

Which echoes Christ’s call to all of us>

Take Up the Cross and Follow Him

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [b]daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:23-27 NKJV

Moving forward… a ship that’s anchored cannot be steered… because it is not in motion>

21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Isaiah 30:21 NIV

Our part, our will is engaged as we walk forward… the only way out is through.

Right there, hidden in plain sight… he’s somewhere that he knows he doesn’t belong… it reminds me of that scene in Brave Heart… where Uncle Argyle comes to take him away… after his family is murdered…

But wait, no… young lad there doesn’t want to leave home… his home is shattered…

Here in this song is some one who has settled for something that he doesn’t feel at home in…