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Mark Twain once offered this advice on raising teenagers, “When a child turns 12 he should be kept in a barrel and fed through a hole, until he reaches 16… at which time you should plug the hole.”   As a parent of three teenagers and one who has just passed through those teen years, I find Twain’s comments funny. But I’m sure it’s not a good approach to raising your children. There are loads of internet blogs and sites offering advice for new parents with young children. An unlimited number of books are available to help us raise pre-school kids. But when it comes to help for parenting teens – there is silence. Why? Because it’s hard work and by the time your children reach those important years you have already realized you’re in over your head. The week before Easter, when the media briefly turns to spiritual matters, there were a couple interesting news articles about teens and religion. There are some brave researchers who have attempted to interpret scientific data on dealing with teenagers and the challenges associated with moving into adulthood. Unfortunately, they have not been able to uncover much helpful information. Teenagers have managed to render empirical evidence useless since that’s often what they do best.   However, researchers in the articles I read have found two important things. First, the role of parents matters more than we think. Some people are now suggesting that there ought to be parental leave for parents of teenagers. Researchers looked at the effects of ‘engaged time’ and ‘accessible time’ that parents have for their children, especially mothers. At all stages of life parents who are engaged and available to their children make a difference but the greatest difference comes during adolescence. The more engaged time parents spent with their teenagers, “the less likely those teenagers were to engage in delinquent acts — defined as anything from lying about something important to getting arrested.” Take note, time spent with your teens is important, even when they tell you it isn’t.   The second study I saw looked more at the impact of families that have a strong faith. Here’s what they found: “Spiritually connected teens are, remarkably, 60 per cent less likely to suffer from depression than adolescents who are not spiritually oriented.   They’re 40 per cent less likely to abuse alcohol or other substances, and 80 per cent less likely to engage in unprotected sex. Spiritually oriented children, raised to not shy from hard questions or difficult situations… also tend to excel academically.” The challenge, (I speak as the parent of teenagers) is that you often feel like you aren’t making much of a difference. You don’t feel that your influence is very great and you play second fiddle to their peer group. But we shouldn’t let our feelings affect the truth. Our engagement in all areas, including spiritual activity, will help set up our children for success. It’s true; there are no guarantees for problem free parenting. But it just might be simpler than we think. “Teach (these commands) to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.” Deuteronomy 11:19-21 

Habakkuk is a strange book of the Bible. Written after the exile, the prophet begins by calling God to action. The world seems to be falling apart. Society is full of violence and injustice. The wicked are winning, good and godly people are disappearing. Habakkuk can’t understand why God isn’t doing something. Why does God allow this evil to continue? God does answer and says that he will bring judgment but will do it through a pagan nation. Habakkuk can’t understand that either and so begins a dialogue between the prophet and God. What becomes clear is that God is holy, he will bring justice but he works according to his own plan. Habakkuk must surrender himself to God’s plan and trust that God is sovereign over all things. In the end, despite not fully understanding, Habakkuk declares: Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.The Sovereign Lord is my strength;he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,he enables me to tread on the heights. (3:17-19) To many people today it might look like the world is falling apart. Sin and wickedness abound. Terrorists roam the world without restriction. The laws of the land are broken and injustice rules. Like Habakkuk we may call out to God wondering where he is. But God is just as sovereign and in control today as he was in the day of the prophet. While we are confused and distressed by what happens around us we must come to the same conclusion. Regardless of what is happening “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength.” See you Sunday, Pastor David

There was a media uproar over the weekend about a certain American televangelist who was fund raising in order to buy himself a sixty-five million dollar private jet. Yes, you read that correctly, sixty-five (65) million dollars. You see, the ‘man-of-God’ has to travel a lot. He’s in demand around the world and it would just make things so much easier if he could replace his old jet with a new one. Plus he needs to commute from his home in New York City to his church in Atlanta. It’s hard to believe that anyone could justify such a purchase let alone someone claiming to represent Christ. This week his ministry has announced that they are dropping the issue and will be looking out for a new plane only if it is ‘properly priced.’ Until then the poor man will have to travel ‘commercial’. How horrible, is there no end of his suffering for the cause of Jesus? Where in my anger do I begin? How many orphans could be fed and clothed worldwide with $65 million? How many church plants could be started in communities? How many people could be vaccinated against disease with that amount of money? How many new missionary families could be supported for years with that fund? Yet this self-deluded individual believes that he is so important to the world that he can only travel on what is considered to be the world’s most exclusive jet. Thank goodness there will be a heavenly accounting in this matter because that guy has a lot to answer for. The Bible doesn’t condemn wealth or riches. There are lots of examples of rich individuals in the Scripture. But we are warned against seeking wealth above other things. We are told to beware of those “who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:5-10) These words from Paul are sobering. We need this kind of reminder because the world around us (and certain false teachers) keep telling us that our worth comes from the size of our bank account. Nonsense. The Kingdom of God is about people not money. It’s the ‘love of money’ that causes so much grief. We need to learn to be content. As part of the fund raising campaign for the jet, the televangelist was asking for 200,000 people to give $300 each. I have decided to give $300. But not to him or his cause. Instead I know of another situation where there is a need and $300 will make a difference to a missionary and his family. I’m challenging you to do the same. Is there some ministry, some individual, or some cause – far from the media spotlight – that you can donate to this week? Be generous and gracious. The only way to break the power of money is to give it away. .

“For the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10   We all have troubles and trials that wear away at us. There are days we would prefer to stay in bed and avoid the world around us. Life is full of sorrow and conflict. But we are told that our strength comes from the ‘joy of the Lord.’ That’s what we need to draw on. That’s what we need to focus on. This kind of joy has God as its source. It’s about God’s joy over people who repent and return to him. It’s a joy that doesn’t come from our experience or circumstance but an objective joy that comes from God. In Nehemiah chapter 8 the exiles who have returned to Jerusalem are listening to the reading of God’s word. They are suddenly aware of their sinful condition and how they have broken God’s law. A sense of sorrow and sadness overtake them and they begin to weep. There is genuine repentance among God’s people. But that day was to be one of celebration and joy because God’s work had been done. The exile was over, the walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt and worship in Jerusalem was once again being lifted up. God saw the tender condition of his people, their openness to his work and there was joy. Nehemiah tells the people not to weep but to draw strength from God’s joy in this moment. The people would be able to live again in Jerusalem because of God’s redemptive work. God’s plans had come to pass. We live on the other side of the cross. Christ’s redemptive work is finished and God takes joy in that. The price of our sins has been paid for and the way to eternal life has been opened. We should be conscious that Christ died for us. It brings us to repentance and sorrow over our sins.  But since God’s plan has come to pass we can also rejoice. We move forward not in our own strength or joy but in God’s. Life will continue to be challenging. There will be days full of difficulty. But the biggest issue in our lives has been settled. God has redeemed us. And if he is happy and joyful over that then we should be as well. So we can sing, “the joy of the Lord is my strength.”

If you have a cell phone, email account or use the internet then you are being watched. Your movements, conversations and personal information are being recorded and stored by any number of computers. We have been warned about this but sometimes it still comes as a shock when people find out that information sent out over digital networks isn’t private. Then again, have we ever really had complete privacy? ‘People watching’ is as old as humanity itself. We watch each other, in subtle ways.  We notice how other people dress, what kind of car they drive and how they treat their children. For better or worse, people are watching you. Your children, your neighbors, your co-workers and folks you don’t even know. It’s not the age of the internet that causes this it’s always been this way. People watch other people and we learn from one another. We are living in denial if we think people don’t notice us. As Christians we should be conscious that others are keeping an eye on how we live and represent Jesus. Jesus himself reminds you to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) So what are people watching? Our Actions – How do we treat other people? Do we show kindness, gentleness and love? Are we honest and true? How do we handle problems? Do our words match our actions? Or, are we guilty of saying one thing and doing another? People watch for hypocrisy.   Our Attitudes – Are we judgmental towards others?   Are we considered a positive or negative person?  Do we look like we have the joy of the Lord or do we look like we suck on lemons? Is it obvious that we get hope and inspiration from our faith? Our Acquaintances – What kind of people do we hang out with? Are we known for being associated with good company? Who influences us with their lifestyle and behavior? Do the people we spend our time with share our values and focus in life? Whether we like it or not – people are watching. The question is, ‘What do they see?’ Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Ephesians 5:1

I get a lot of invitations and offers. People running conferences and seminars fill my inbox with glowing information about how their event can change my life. I get invited to meetings where the organizers want to introduce a product that I won’t be able to live without. I’m asked to try out new software that will help me get organized and make my life easier. Quite frankly I am skeptical of invitations and promises that amount to little more than over the top advertising. No conference has ever changed my life and no software has solved my problems. Their claims are simply too good to be true. I get tired of them. But there is one invitation that I can’t resist. Whenever I read it I want it. God’s wonderful invitation is found in Isaiah 55:1-3, “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. This is the best invitation you will get today. It’s an invitation to take part in the life of God’s Kingdom. It’s an invitation to our hungry and weary spirits to stop wasting time on things that don’t matter and to give our attention to the Word of God. It’s an invitation to enter into the presence of the King who promises to meet all our needs. It’s an invitation to rest and enjoy life. So can you stop for a few moments today and accept that offer? Can you allow God the time to bless you with his goodness? Why work at things that can’t satisfy? Just take the offer and enjoy it. Let it refresh your soul.  

I was the quiet kid in class, the one who didn’t like to raise his hand. I never wanted to volunteer an answer in case I was wrong. But what was worse was that I never wanted to ask a question for clarification even when I didn’t understand what the teacher was saying.  I just couldn’t bring myself to voice a question. It’s taken me many years to understand some things about myself. This I know – I have trouble asking for help. That’s no surprise to the people who know me best. I guess I don’t want to appear foolish or weak. As if asking for help means someone is weak. Ironically, my inability to ask for help is one of my greatest weaknesses. It’s funny because I admire people who can ask for help. I don’t view them as weak or needy but rather honest, direct and straightforward. But when I step up to ask for help I am fearful and incredibly self-conscience. It’s as if my throat closes and refuses to let out a sound. So when I come to Matthew 7:7 I have a struggle: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Jesus makes it so simple. The way of the Kingdom, the way of salvation is simply to ask. Jesus calls me to slow down and humbly admit that I live much of my life with unanswered and unknown things. I have a long list of questions I want to ask and questions I want answers to. Jesus is willing to help me with those questions if I am willing to trust his leadership and guidance. He reminds us that God is like a Father “who knows how to give good things to those who ask him.” (7:11) Some people are afraid to ask because they were taught not to. Others simply talk too much and love sharing their own wisdom so much that they don’t have time to ask a question. There are people who have asked their questions before and felt condemned by others and so have stopped asking. Whatever our reasons, whatever our sinful conditions, we must keep on asking our questions to Jesus. So ask Jesus to help you ask.  You don’t have to have the perfect words. Just speak your question to him. If you can’t, just ask him to help you. And remember that he is always the first answer to our question. His presence in the midst of our unsolved questions is the first step to resolution. 

What’s the strangest thing that has ever happened to you at church? I bet you’d have a hard time beating Eutychus’ story. The Apostle Paul was in Troas for a week of special meetings. Being a preacher Paul kept on talking until it was close to midnight. The room was lit with oil lamps which meant it was getting stuffy. No doubt everyone was getting a little tired. Eutychus was sitting on a window ledge, perhaps for some fresh air. He grew drowsy and nodded off to sleep. Then he fell out of the window. He fell from the third story and was pronounced dead. But Paul went down and prayed over him. “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him” said Paul. (Acts 20:7-12) They all went back upstairs to eat and talked until the morning. It was a night they would all remember. Luke records that the people went away comforted. They had seen God at work in a mighty way. Only God can effect a resurrection and this strengthened their faith. They could have full confidence in the message of Jesus since it was backed up by miracles. Our Creator is able to bring life out of death. Certainly God brings us spiritual life. We were dead in our sins but God has given us life. We are a people of the resurrection. Not only our spiritual life but in so many aspects we look to God to bring life out of death. Sometimes it’s our hopes and dreams that are dead. They’ve fallen out of the window and landed lifeless far away from us. We think nothing can be done. But then we hear the word of God speak, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” Don’t forget that our God is a miracle worker. The situation that looks hopeless can become hopeful when God is at work. So the lesson is – don’t fall asleep in church and look to God who brings life out of death.

Did you hear about the boy who got an invoice for missing a birthday party? Yep, it’s a true story. Five year old Alex had agreed to attend Charlie’s party last weekend at a local ski hill. But on the day of the party decided he would rather go to visit his grandparents. So Charlie’s parents sent an invoice for 25 dollars for a no-show. According to the media that’s when things got nasty between the mothers on Facebook. Now there’s talk about going to small claims court. The online debate over the matter is majorly heated at the moment. It’s hard to comment on a situation like this without knowing all the details. It’s not like I need to pick a side or anything. What’s most unfortunate about this situation is the attitude and behavior of the parents, both sets. For better or worse, parents are the first role models we have in life. We’ll probably never really understand the full impact our parents have on us. But in handling this situation both sets of parents are modelling some very unhealthy behavior for their children. I don’t mean to pick on the parents. I know it’s the toughest job in the world. It’s easy to lose perspective and want to fight for what we think is right. As I read the about the story it just reminded me that I need to be careful about what I model to my children and others. Paul makes it clear in Galatians 5. The fruit of the spirit is “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” These are the qualities that Christians should be known for. Our children are watching how we handle pressure, how we respond to disappointment and how we treat others. We aren’t always going to get it right, no one ever does. But we can pray for the Spirit to keep producing that fruit so that we are able to model Christ-like character to the world around us.

A week ago was the terrorist attack on Paris. It was followed by two days of tension and more violence. After a march for unity on Sunday people are finding it difficult to settle back into old routines. The French government has deployed ten thousand troops to provide extra security. Across Europe there are growing fears of ‘sleeper’ cells and the possibility of more attacks. It’s not just Europe that faces these challenges; Canada and Australia have also been dealing with violent tragedies. While the media was focusing on Paris over 2000 people died in Nigeria in senseless acts of war. Students in Pakistan are getting ready to return to their school where over 130 died in December. It’s upsetting to read and hear about such horrible situations. The turmoil in our world can seem overwhelming and frightening. The most frequent command given in the Bible is “Don’t be afraid” or “Fear not.” There is a lot to fear these days. Our fears might have to do with personal safety and the stability of world order. Or our fear might be much more personal. We can fear failure, intimacy, disapproval, unemployment or being alone. There is simply no shortage of things we can be fearful about. No wonder the Bible tells us so often to ‘fear not.’ What does it mean? Jan Johnson writes that “Don’t be afraid” is “Trust me!” turned inside-out. In other words, what God is saying to us is that we need to be actively trusting in him. The 23rd Psalm reminds us that the Lord is our shepherd. He is the one overseeing our care and we really do have everything we need. When we are not afraid we can lay down in the green pastures because we have nothing to fear. We can’t control the world around us. We can’t force people to be nice towards us and meet all our needs. We can’t protect ourselves from the painful realities of life that might come our way. But we can trust in the shepherd of our souls. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters,3 he refreshes my soul.He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me;your rod and your staff, they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Even in the darkest moments the Lord is present to comfort and guide. We do well to remember that and let that truth settle into our spirit.