Salvogesis

We are told that when we are in Christ we are a new creation. When we are ‘in-Christ’  we are able to have our lives transformed so we can see and do the good things that God wants for us and others (Romans 12:2). Being ‘in-Christ’ is no longer thinking about ourselves. One night I received an e-mail from an old friend of mine who works in a BC prison; I myself volunteered in the chapel in Stony Mountain Penn. We agreed that many of the fellows there who are stuck, unable to change; the ones who don’t get along with their fellow inmates and are threatening and litigious, are the people who act upon ‘a perverse sense of entitlement.’ It is this sense of entitlement, among other things, that embodies the old life for each of us.  It is this way of thinking that traps us. The new life is experienced only as we change our minds to put God, rather than ourselves, first. This is what it means to be ‘in-Christ.’ It is a simple idea - this new life. Jesus has already provided this new life for

It was tough times in Judea in the 1 st  Century when Jesus was born. They had been part of the Roman Empire for a while. They lived through wars and rebellions. Herod the Great, the king of this region, was instrumental in putting Caesar Augustus on the throne. This is a people torn apart by challenges, circumstances, differing opinions and sentiments - much like today.   Covid-19 in this country is polarizing many people. The rules, regulations, and restrictions by the governments and our organizations do not seem to be consistent. The pandemic is a real concern and each attempted solution seems to either make it worse, or at the very least, not make it any better.   Many people are getting sick, suffering physically: not only from Covid-19 but from our healthcare, hospitals, and/or governments being unable to treat people with other serious ailments. Many people are suffering emotionally – suicide is on the rise, as is Medical Assistance In Dying. Drug use is on the rise. The Opioid

Isaiah 9:6-7a:   For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:   and the government shall be upon his shoulder:   and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,   The mighty God,   The everlasting Father,   The Prince of Peace.   Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,     This was a verse that I had to memorize as a small child growing up on the Island here. It was my line in a church Christmas pageant many years ago. The Christmas pageants were always quite exciting and performing in them was always a little nerve-racking. The church was always filled to capacity – even the balconies and the lobbies were full. There were stage lights shining on us. There was a microphone in front of each of us as we spoke. With all of this going on it could be very difficult to remember your line. Thankfully, I did. And I still do. This memory verse has stayed with me decades later and there is not an Advent Season that passes without my reflec

When we were stationed in Toronto, we participated in the Santa Shuffle, an annual fun race put on by The Salvation Army. Even Heather when she was very little participated and got a medal. I have been injured since the beginning of covid (hamstring and meniscus) but before then – off and on - since I was in my 30s, I have done a bit of running. When I lived in Vancouver, I faithfully ran every second day. I lived about 5km from my office – I used to run there and back. In Winnipeg I lived almost 10km from the College; a colleague and I did that run more than once. In Toronto I would run past the many Officers’ quarters regularly as we all seemed to live in the same area, and here in Port Alberni I even ran with Rebecca a bit before she moved and then I was later injured. Running can be fun – but when you get out of the habit and have to start again or when you start for the very first time it can be a chore. And sometimes those hills in your first few runs can feel like mountains and