Salvogesis

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...