Do You Remember?

Do you remember your first Christmas gift as a child?  Well, it may not have been your first gift but it’s the one you first remember!  I remember mine.  I was about four years old and I received a plastic lunch box.  I even remember the colors, yellow and green.  What made it so special was that now I had a lunch box just like my older brothers and sister who took theirs to school.  We have come a long way from plastic lunch boxes to electronic toys.

Do you remember the little bubble lights in the shape of candles that one use to see on decorated trees? Then on the very top of the tree there was the angel that you plugged in?  I think the angel may still be around but I don’t see very many bubble lights.

Jill and I still hang our stockings on Christmas Eve and we look forward to the next morning.  The stocking I hang now looks pretty flashy in red with my name on it.  Hung stockings today are a far cry to the ones many of us remember;  a long grey work sock in which Santa would always put an orange in the toe.

The value of gifts has certainly changed over the years.  Of course one earned a lot less in years past but I always thought it was fun making a dollar go four ways!  A dollar would buy a package of razor blades for dad, a small comb for mom, bobby pins for my sister and maybe a small jackknife for my brother.

When our girls were small, of course like all others they wanted to get up while it was still dark and open their presents.  It was a real struggle to convince them to remain in bed until the sun came up. One year I came up with the perfect solution! I told them on Christmas Eve that “daddy is going to set an alarm clock in your room and as soon as it goes off you can get up.”  They thought that was great.  I didn’t tell them that it was set to go off at 8:00am not 6:00am!  It only worked for one year.

Do you remember reading the Christmas story from the Bible (as a family) before opening your gifts? What about the Sunday School Christmas Concerts with their plays, recitations, carols, and of course a visit from Santa.

A lot of things have changed over the years and this is to be expected, but one thing that has not changed is the reason for the season. We gather as family, friends and church community to celebrate the coming of the promised Messiah in the form of the Babe of Bethlehem.

May God bless you with happy memories of the past, may you retain some of your favorite traditions in the present, and may the Lord who greeted the shepherds long ago greet you with the same Good News today:  “Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

Great Hymns of the Faith

As many of our readers are aware I host a weekly radio show called “Great Hymns of the Faith”.  I started this radio outreach while pastoring a church in Barrie Ontario (1993-2002). When we moved to the Bahamas (2002-2005) Great Hymns of the Faith continued over a local radio station. While in St. Mary's Ontario Great Hymns was heard over Joy 1250 in Oakville.

Now that we are living in Bermuda, Great Hymns of the Faith can be heard over local radio station Magic 102.7, Joy 1250 in Oakville and through friends in Scotland. Great Hymns is shared through a CD distribution ministry. For many years I have enjoyed sharing hymns, gospel songs and spirituals with listeners who enjoy not only the music, but also enjoy hearing a story about the author or perhaps a story behind the hymn itself.

Have you ever wondered why many of the Great Hymns of Faith are no longer in our new church hymnbooks?  Perhaps you have noticed that some of our Great Hymns have undergone changes in terminology!  Go ahead check it out! See if your favourite hymn from childhood days is still in the hymnbook that is being used in your church today! If it is, check to see if the words are all the same or if some verses have been dropped or new verses have been added. The reason behind many of the changes and deletions is that today’s church music committees have fallen prey to something called “politically correct language”.  In order to correct this problem new hymnbooks have done a number of things like dropping verses, adding verses, changing words and of course the most popular “drop the hymn entirely”.

In your study notice how many times reference to God the Father has been changed to God the Creator. Today’s society tells us that we mustn’t “overly” portray God as Father. But the Bible portrays God as Father so what are we to do? Well, we’ll drop reference to Father and use Creator or Lord instead! Also, many of our old hymns that have military images in them can no longer be found in the newer hymn books because today’s society states that to use military images is to glorify war!!

Please don’t get me wrong. I don’t have a problem if people want to come up with new hymns that don’t refer to God as Father, drop all military references and in general are completely gender and politically correct. I don’t have a problem unless these new hymns try to disguise themselves as the old hymns with the same authors. If you want politically correct hymns, come up with new ones yourself and stop stealing from the past!

I want to close this blog with a story of one of the greatest hymn writers of all times and that is Charles Wesley. Wesley wrote over 6,000 hymns. Like most hymnists, his works were frequently altered. In the preface to the 1779 Collection of Hymns for the Use of the People called Methodists, his brother John wrote:

I beg leave to mention a thought which has been long upon my mind, and which I should long ago have inserted in the public papers, had I not been unwilling to stir up a nest of hornets. Many gentlemen have done my brother and me (though without naming us) the honour to reprint many of our hymns. Now they are perfectly welcome to do so, provided they print them just as they are. But I desire they would not attempt to mend them, for they are really not able. None of them is able to mend either the sense or the verse. Therefore, I must beg of them these two favours: either to let them stand just as they are, to take things for better or worse, or to add the true reading in the margin, or at the bottom of the page, that we may no longer be accountable either for the nonsense or for the doggerel of other men.

A Few Minutes Late!

Have you ever experienced the disappointment of missing a plane, a boat, a bus or maybe a train?
They went on without you and left you on the dock, in the lounge or at the station!

NOT A NICE FEELING

What about trying to check into a hotel after a busy day on the road?  You walk up to the front desk only to be told, "I'm sorry, but you are just a few minutes late.  Our last room has been booked."

You return to the blackness of the night and try again but always the same story, "I'm sorry, we are completely filled."

We don't know how many inns Mary and Joseph went to before being told, "No room in the inn but you can sleep in the barn if you like."

It's disappointing when there is no room.

- No room at the inn

- No seat on the plane

- No table at the restaurant

- No tickets to your favourite concert

- It's frustrating

- It's depressing

- It's not fair!

I wonder how Mary & Joseph felt as they settled in with the barn animals.  Though He was born in a stable He would make it possible for us to live in mansions, dine at banquet tables, and rejoice with the angels.

Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go away I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also."

We have our room for eternity and banquet tables have been prepared for us.  Listen to the invitation. Jesus said, "Someone gave a great dinner and invited many.  Go out into the roads and lanes and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled."

The One who at His birth was told, "Sorry, but we have no room for you" is the One who has made it possible for you and I to live in mansions and dine at banquet tables.

Have you accepted your invitation?

Or are you

- too busy

- not interested

- some other time

- or do you want to check out something else before making a commitment?

Some day God will say, "My mansion and my table is full" and the sign will go up, "No room in the mansion and no room at my table."

Grace keeps the door open for the moment but it may only be for the moment.  Check in before the sign goes up

Milkshakes in Heaven

She was only seven years of age. Susie (not her real name) was very cute and loved by her friends who took turns pushing her mobility cart down the long hallways of our church. Coffee fellowship for the adults was often interspersed with screams of delight coming from the hallway.

My little friend had spina bifida but that did not stop her from smiling and laughing with her friends. Although she could not walk nor do so many of the things other children take for granted my little friend was happy and loved life. Periodically she had setbacks and would have to go to the hospital for treatment. I visited her as one of the ministers from her church. She smiled as we talked and after a little visit I left.

Very shortly after that visit my little friend died. Now, I had to break the news to another little girl that her friend had died and that she would no longer be able to push her down our church hallways in her mobility cart. Her friend was my daughter who was about the same age.

“God,” I prayed, “give me words of wisdom and comfort that I might gently tell my daughter of her friend’s death.”

It was Sunday morning and we were on our way home from church. I secured her seatbelt in the backseat and climbed behind the wheel. I called my daughter by name saying that I had something very important to share with her. “Yes, daddy" said the voice from the back seat.

I continued to pray, “Lord, give me the right words.”

“Sweetheart, your friend Susie, well she died last evening. “ I waited for the crying to start but there was silence instead.

Then my little girl in the backseat began asking a series of questions.

“Daddy, do you suppose Susie is sleeping now?”
“Yes,” I replied she could very well be sleeping.”

“Daddy, does God have beds in heaven?”
“Yes, dear I suppose he does and they will be very comfortable beds.” Still there were no sounds of crying but more questions.

“Daddy, when Susie wakes up will she be able to run and play?”
“Yes, sweetheart she will be able to run and play because in heaven God takes away all suffering and pain.”

“Daddy, do you suppose Susie is playing right now?”

“Yes, dear she probably is playing right now.”

Then there was silence for a moment and I thought to myself what do I say when the crying starts and my little girl asks why her friend had to die. There were no sniffs just another question.

“Daddy?”

“Yes, dear.”

“Daddy, does God have milkshakes in heaven?”

Where do you go in the Bible for an answer to that one? I don’t recall the Bible every mentioning milkshakes but I replied in the affirmative anyway.

“Yes, dear if you like milkshakes God will have the best milkshakes that you have ever tasted!” Another brief moment of silence and then my little girl replied,

“Daddy, Heaven sounds like a pretty good place.”

If anyone heard sobs they probably came from me as I thanked the good Lord for allowing my seven year old to minister to me. “Yes dear, God has milkshakes in Heaven now let’s go home.”

Where she came up with that question I will never know. Perhaps she and Susie had talked about how good milkshakes were and if God has milk shakes, comfortable beds and allows crippled little girls to walk then Heaven sounds like a pretty good place.

Out of the mouths of babes!

The Big Step

There are people one meets in ministry that leave you with a lasting impression. I would like to share a story of one such person.



The first time that I met her she was in hospice care at Agape House here in Hamilton Bermuda. It was not a good day for her. She was in a great deal of pain and discomfort. I stayed only for a short period of time and left. In the following days I would drop by for a little chat. Initially that was all that it was, “just a little chat.” Perhaps it was on my third visit that I asked her before leaving if I could share a few verses from the Bible with her and have a little prayer. She agreed and so every week thereafter we would always bring our visit to a close with a Bible reading and a little prayer. I looked forward to our visits and I like to think that she did as well. We became friends. One day I opened our conversation with the question. “How are things today?” She replied, “I am getting ready to take the big step.” She was referring to her death and so we talked about death and what takes place after death. I asked her what she would like me to say at the service that would mark her passing. She had a sense of humor and replied; “Tell them she’s gone.” That was it! She’s gone. Her departure was usually a part of our discussion on every subsequent visit. She wanted to talk about it and I was willing to listen. I asked her if she was frightened and she replied in a somewhat uncertain tone. We talked about the afterlife and the possibilities that await us both positive and negative. She had her doubts. I asked her if she would like to ask Jesus to come into her heart as her Lord and Savior. She said yes and so the prayer request was honest and straight forward. I prayed and she consented to the prayer.

“Lord, I am a sinner. I am lost without you. Come and live in my heart. Forgive me my sins and allow me the peace of your presence.” Amen.

We talked about trust and faith and the promises found in Holy Scripture. I told her that when the time was right Christ would come and usher her home. “Trust Him. He will be with you. You will not take that Big Step alone.” I also reassured her that God would give her the faith that would allow for trust. I left Agape that day and while descending down the hill I thought to myself. “Lord, it is all up to you now. I can’t do anything more please give her the peace that she needs.” Then I said my, “Amen.”

A few days later I went in for a further visit wondering if there would be any change in her outlook. We weren’t thinking of nor did we ever ask for a cure for her disease. We were much more concerned that she would experience the peace that the Bible speaks of even in the face of death. My visit that day began as most of our visits began. “It’s good to see you and how are you today?” While I took note of her relaxed look I heard her say; “I’m not as frightened as I used to be, I just have to trust and have faith.” I said, “Yes, and God will give you that trust and faith.” That visit was on a Thursday and before I left I asked her, “Would you like to make a profession of faith and join the church from your room, here at Agape?” She smiled and nodded yes and there was a sparkle in her eye. She asked me, “What will I have to wear?” I replied, “What you are wearing now is just fine.” I told her that after she joined the church we could celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion together. She thought that was great. So, the very next day (Friday) her husband and two elders from St Andrews (Joan & Bill Davis) along with myself witnessed our sister in Christ make her profession of faith and she was welcomed into the church following which we shared the broken bread and the glass of wine representing the broken body and shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We then presented her with a certificate of membership.

Less than a week later I received a call from the staff at Agape. Initially I thought it was the call we all knew was coming at some point in the near future. But no, it wasn’t. My friend had asked the staff if they would phone me and see if I would come for a visit. The fact that she had asked to see me meant so much to me. Over the weeks I like to thing that we had indeed become good friends. She wasn’t able to talk much on that visit. But when I asked her husband if he had requested the nurse to call me, she was quick to point out with her finger that NO it was her who had made the request. I was so happy. We had our devotions and I left. The following Sunday her husband told me that she had slipped into unconsciousness and that time was running short. I visited her early Sunday afternoon. There was another faithful caregiver by her side. I spoke as if my friend could hear every word which she probably did. I told her that God was coming very shortly for her and she would be home; free of her cancer, free of pain, free of grief, free of sorrow, free of tears. I shared with her Psalm 23 and verses from John 14 as well as Revelation 21 and 22. I offered a prayer and I left. Her heavenly father came for her early the next morning. My friend had finally taken what she called the big step. If you want to know what it is like where she now calls home she and I would both say, “Read the Bible.”



 Rev. John Fraser, husband David and elder Bill Davis



Many times people ask the question, “Why, why, why, why doesn’t death or as my friend called it “the Big Step” come sooner for people in her state?” The Bible gave me the answer in the case of my friend; let me share it with you. John 14:3 Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and will take you to myself that where I am you will be also.” The initial place that Jesus was preparing for my friend was her heart and once her heart was ready once He called her she invited Him in as her Lord and Savior. Now she was ready for her homecoming.

The question which all of us should be asking of ourselves today is; “Am I ready to take the big step. Could today be the day that God is preparing our heart to meet him? “Does Jesus live in our heart as our Lord and Savior?’

Life Blog

We are commencing a new ministry here at St Andrews. We are calling the ministry Life Blog. Those familiar with computer terminology know what a blog is. A blog is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries consisting of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material. Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. The ability of readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs
Well, St Andrews is about to embark on a ministry called Life Blog. Some of the issues that we are going to be looking at include; the battle dealing with loneliness, frustration over religion, life issues and confusion over matters of faith. We will be grappling with the questions and debating the answers. We hope that our dialogue will develop into meaningful conversation. The forum is open to all both in and outside of the church.
We are going to be meeting every Sunday evening at 6:00PM in the Church Hall which is located on the corner of Church and Court Street in Hamilton. The ministry is being led by an adherent of the congregation Mr. Stephanus Louw. Stephanus is a young CA from South Africa who is presently working at Deloitte Accounting Firm here in Hamilton. You are invited to join us in person OR send us a comment, a statement, a question by responding to this blog. We will get back to you!

A Lamp Unto My Feet - For a New Year, 2011

Light comes in all shapes and sizes. We enjoy the light that falls from a sparkling chandelier. When the power goes out we reach for our flashlight and light a candle. We put little lights in our hallways and call them night lights so we won’t stub our toes in the dark. We decorate our lawns and gardens with little solar lights. The sun sheds its beautiful light during the day and the moon reflects the light of the sun at night.

Without light we would be in the dark! Without light plants could not grow. Without light we would freeze. Without light, life as we know it would cease to be. Without light we would all die.

The Bible tells us that the first thing that God created was light! Genesis 1:3 reads, “Let there be light and there was light.” Hear also this verse from the Psalms, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path” (119:105). Standing on the steps of a New Year I would like us to think seriously about this text.

Many of us are on a path in life where we are busy dragging problems and worries:
-from one day into the next
-from one week into the next
-from one month into the next
-and yes even from one year into the next

We worry about the past and we worry about the future. We worry about our health. We worry about the health of others. We worry about our jobs. We worry about not having a job. We worry about worrying.

No matter how good a computer is it can still come crashing to a standstill if overloaded with too much data. We sometimes treat ourselves like a computer by overloading ourselves with worry. Some times people will “crash” just like their computer only we call it burnout, stress attack, breakdown or heart attack.

I want you to give some serious thought to what our text is telling us about light. A lamp, the type of which is being referred to in this text, lights only the immediate area around its base. Think about that!

Notice that the Bible did not say, “Your Word is like the blazing sun to my feet,” but “your word is a lamp to my feet.” God’s Word shows us where to walk a step at a time. God’s Word is not a spotlight that illuminates what the road is like a mile ahead but what the path is like immediately below our feet.

Can you see one small blessing to be thankful for? Then thank Him for that one small blessing.

Can you see one persistent sin that you are carrying with you into the New Year? Ask God to forgive you for that one sin.

Is there one small temptation that still keeps company with you? Ask God to help you shake that one temptation.

Walk with God one step at a time. We cannot change the past and we know not what the future may hold but we do know that with the light of his Word as our guide that He will instruct us where it is safe to place our next step. So, don’t lag in the past, don’t run blindly into the future for the lamp of God’s Word only sheds light a step at a time.

May God richly bless you as you walk into the year ahead.

Blessings

(Rev.) John Fraser