Salvogesis

  This passage was very much in my mind when we were in Paris and any other part of France where we walked into an historic cathedral. The big, ancient Roman Catholic churches walls are filled with naves, alcoves, altars. Many rooms open exposed to the main sanctuary. You can see in many of these worship spaces amazing works of art; grand works of art, worshipful works of art painted right on the walls of these chapels; some of which are painted by some famous artists, their contemporaries or their equals. Some of these painted walls in these chapels are in great condition and some of them are worn away. It is something as you can see them worn away. At the top the painted walls, they still look mostly untouched even after a century or centuries of use as an aid in worship – but near the bottom, in the places where one can reach, you can see where thousands of people over hundreds of years have beseeched our Lord with their tears pouring down their faces. Facing the wall, one ...

We saw a Salvador Dali museum in Paris. I have always liked his work – though one may need a book or a tour guide to understand it fully: the melting clocks and other items that typify surrealism.      We were also able to go the Giverny and see Monet’s gardens. I have seen Monet’s paintings before and I admit that I have never been that much of a fan. I once, in university, for a class had to review some of his work. I ran through everything I knew about the techniques he used and everything else. My professor was really impressed and was starting to comment on my analysis before I had spoken the concluding words of my presentation which were, “and I don’t like that”.     But then I saw up front and in person the objects Monet was painting and I understood. French Impressionism made sense to me in an instant. That which I never used to even understand, let alone appreciate, when I saw the reality it was representing with my own eyes, when I was a...

One oil painting we saw at the Louvre was an oil painting of the 1793 painting by Jacques-Louis David of his colleague, the murdered French revolutionary leader, Jean-Paul Marat, entitled ‘Death of Marat’.     Oil paintings are amazing. You can see them today, centuries later, and they look as vibrant as if they were painted just yesterday.     What struck me about the death of Marat however was not the art as much as the subject matter. Now, I am not a fan of Marat. It really is not a surprise that he was murdered, in my opinion: he was really quite a nasty fellow. He was a propagandist for the French revolutionaries; much like Milton was for England’s Cromwell, only nastier, I think.     Marat is often held responsible for the September Massacre s in which between 1,176 and 1,614 defenceless people were taken prisoner and then murdered. And then after earning these murderous credentials, Marat went on to sit on the Committee of General Se...

When we were in Paris and the rest of France, we were able to see the Louvre, other museums, art galleries, and many famous works of Art. We saw the Mona Lisa and other great oil paintings. One thing that struck me as I looked upon the original works of art of which I have seen reproductions dozens or even hundreds of times before in my life, is that the reproductions are never as good as the original. They can be like the cloud of witnesses in our text but they are not anywhere near the value and power of the original! A picture of a painting is not the painting itself: not nearly as vibrant and alive!      This reminds me of our faith and a temptation for some Christians who maybe even grew up in the churches. I have met some people – even in seminary - who hadn’t ever read through their entire Bible even once! There are people who identify as Christians who look to or through others instead of to God directly for their faith. They rely on preachers, teach...

We saw many great things along the Seine and in Paris (as well as in the rest of France). As we conclude our talk today about “Gospel Seine-ry”, I want to circle back bring our attention again to Matthew 5.    Along the Seine and everywhere in Paris and everywhere we saw in France actually there was outdoor seating. There were cafes lining the streets. When we were there it wasn’t actually the nicest weather in the world. It was quite a bit colder than it was here. Every time you went to a café or a streetside restaurant, they sat you outside. It was neat on nice days especially so many people side by side, as restaurant bordered coffee shop, bordered restaurant, bordered coffee shop. The atmosphere was great as everyone in the morning enjoyed their croissants and espresso and their meals in the evenings. The noise and the joy drew you in. People were not hidden away inside (unless they insisted, I assume) unless the outside was full.        ...

This verse was on the wall of the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore in Paris, just around the corner from Notre Dam on the Seine. The Shakespeare and Company Bookstore is an amazing place many famous authors have visited there, stayed there, written there; many famous poems and works of literary art could have been composed there. Even today, as well as buying great books and other works of literature, we are invited to stay and write. The verse on the wall of the bookstore, relates to their historic hospitality that the Lord has used to bless us through the writings of the authors and poets who have stayed there. I have stories of entertaining or being entertained by angels myself which I will certainly share another time. This passage is important. We should remember that anywhere and anytime, any stranger might just be a messenger of God, and even if they aren’t we should treat them as if they are for God created us all in His own image and He can use us all as His own agents to do ...

We also saw Napoleon’s tomb and the Arc De Triomphe. I walked between the Arc and the Eiffel Tower a number of times actually trying to find Susan after I climbed the Eiffel Tower by myself – Susan, as one who is not particularly fond of heights, passed up on that opportunity. Napoleon's tomb and even more so the Arc De Triumph he had constructed reminded me of the parable of the rich fool. Napoleon’s tomb is grand and all around him are his generals – almost like an Egyptian Pharaoh surrounded by his slaves and household members, with him in the centre. As important as he was – for good and bad, a lot of bad, a lot of death – he died just like everyone and if He did turn to Christ than He is in the same better place that all of us can be but, if he turned to himself and his hubris instead..            The Arc de Triumph. Napoleon, convinced of his continuing victories in Europe; so sure of himself that he will wipe aside any who try to ...

As it was sunset when we were on the Seine River and looking up, Notre Dame was brilliantly lit up by the sky. The Cathedral could also be seen up close by walking around it at other times. We did. We saw many interesting things about Notre Dame: classic Gothic architecture complete with gargoyles and flying buttresses; decapitated statues from the French Revolution; and scaffolding.            Do you remember the fire that ravaged the Cathedral in April of 2019. Many, many firefighters were called in from all over to try to save the cathedral. The ceiling melted. It burned and burned and burned. But then it was saved. And the rebuild began. People donated time, effort, prayer, funds, and so much more to the restoration, the resurrection of the great Cathedral. On the banks of the Seine there with the river (symbolic to me of the river of life flowing in front of it) and the sunset behind it (symbolic to me of the Light of God); I could ...

Paris is built on and around the Seine so there is so much to be seen. One of the many beautiful things we saw was the Seine at sunset. We were blessed to be able to have a short cruise on the river – and us much by accident on our part, but Divine Design in reality, we caught the city illuminated by the light of the sunset before the night falls. As the sunset shone it showed amazing outlines of things we may not have noticed or at least not noticed in the same way: the Cathedral Notre Dame, the river facing face of which was seemingly free of scaffolding; many historic and official building and bridges; the Louvre (itself a work of art before an orange sky). As the sunset lights up the silhouettes of the city and illuminates the beauty of Paris, so does Jesus in our world and our life. Whatever is happening all around us, as we look to the heavens at sunset, we can look to Heaven anytime and notice the Glory and the Love of God shining in our lives; compelling and propelling us throu...

One of the many amazing things we saw in Paris was the Seine River. The Seine is the river that the Lord used to bring Paris to life. It is the river the Lord used to bring France to life. Their culture, identity and history is birthed from the banks of the great river. As people who love and follow Christ, our culture and life, and even eternal life, has been birthed and are sustained on the banks of the River of Life and as we share the joy and strength and power of Salvation with others, the heavenly city -like the analogous city of Paris - can grow in their hearts and their lives and rivers of living water will flow from them and from us.   John 7:37-38: On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”  

As you know we were in Toronto since I last had a chance to chat with you here. It was good. Our work here was actually mentioned in two workshops as positive examples – one on shelters was apparently all about our shelter (but they didn’t mention it’s name; so, that was a little weird) and one on Public Affairs (we received quite a few shout outs). We also got to go to a Blue Jays game which was fun and see a musical but then I had to go home. My cap and part of my tooth fell out – so I had to get a plane, trains, bus, ferry, and a ride to get back home in time for the dentist to try to save the tooth. I think she did. I have another appointment in the next week or two. We had planned to be in Toronto but I wound up back here. This reminds me of   Proverbs 16:9: In their hearts, humans plan their course; but the Lord establishes their steps.    and James 4:13-15: Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on bus...