2020 03 15

History will register a footnote to the COVID-19 corona virus panpidemic consuming all regions of the globe. Travel, school, entertainment and all levels of sporting events have either been cancelled or postponed indefinitely. Self-isolation is recommended to flatten the curve of infection. Be positive in this time of self-isolation and reserve some time from the fast paced lives we lead for reflection. Jesus gave the woman of Samaria requesting water at Jacob's well everlasting life, never to thirst again. Believe in Jesus, believe in God and worship Him in spirit and in truth. Strengthen your faith in Jesus at this time of scheduled self-reflection and believe, all to the glory of God.

Amen.

Based on the readings for the week: John 4:5-42

2020 03 08

We all confront many earthly challenges from earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, droughts and famines, to the latest worldwide epidemic, the coronavirus. We are our brothers and sisters keepers and collectively responsible for their welfare. God sent Jesus to save the world, not condemn the world. He said flesh is flesh and spirit is spirit. Believe in Jesus and be born again of the spirit. Transform your life by repentance and renewal during lent and with the eyes of faith see Jesus radiate in all our brothers and sisters. Respond to him with love and service. Eternal life for those that believe, all to the glory of God.

Amen.

Based on readings for the week: Genesis 12:1-4a; John 3:1-17

2020 03 01

Good versus evil is a continual dynamic for people of all stripes. Open your eyes and remove the veneer of distortions, deceptions and untruths saturating society. " The emperor has no clothes " accurately illuminates existing injustices. The season of lent gives rise to reflection and preparation before Easter. Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights and we replicate through lent Jesus sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert. We shall not live by bread alone but by the word of God. Believe in Jesus and nourish your passion to live in His light, to the glory of God.

Amen.

Based on the readings for the week: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Matthew 4:1-11

2020 02 23

Children are born with innocence and a lack of malice. Their imagination is fertile and their hearts glow with happiness and expectation. Julie Andrews sings from Cinderella about a world full of zanies and fools who don't believe in fences and rules. Children acquire mechanisms as they grow to adulthood to survive and prosper our ever changing environment and adapt to deceptions, moral and ethical issues. We are all children of God. Moses received the commandments on Mount Sinai, a template for all, to live in the light of Jesus, God's beloved son, in whom He was well pleased. Keep those commandments in your heart and live your life to the glory of God.

Amen.

Based on the readings for the week: Exodus 24:12-18; Matthew 17:1-9

2020 02 16

Loyalty to one self and loyalty to others often gets lost in the everyday haze of living. Lines of morality, ethics and righteousness are often crossed in the name of expediency. The motivation for power and success betrays our clarity to support Jesus teachings. We fall short daily in the excellencies of Gods laws. Strive to keep God’s commandments and walk in God’s ways. God’s word is a lamp at our feet and a light unto our path. Strengthen your resolve for right over wrong and allow righteousness to percolate in your heart. All to the glory of God.

Amen.

Based on the Readings for the week: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 119:1-8; Matthew 5:21-37

2020 02 09

The IT generation has spawned many positive outcomes but also has given rise to a disproportion of wealth. The differential between the haves and the have nots has never been greater. Practicing religious acts of worship like fasting serves to undo the heavy burdens we endure, yet we commit acts of injustice by not feeding the hungry and supporting those less fortunate. Do we walk past the less fortunate and dismiss their lot in life or stop and have an epiphany and demonstrate conviction from the heart. Overwhelming fatique leads to dismissive outcomes. The challenge to be righteous lies within your heart. The Lord will guide you through all challenges. Follow Jesus and the light will rise in obscurity and the darkness vanish, allowing others to see your good works. All to the glory of God.

Amen.

Based on the readings for the week: Isaiah 58:1-12; Matthew 5:13-20.

2020 02 02

We all hunger for the word of God. Jesus blessed teachings, the beatitudes, from the sermon on the mount taught us to be just, merciful and humble. Lack of food, a thirst for knowledge, a craving for power and aspirations for success at all costs define many forms of hunger. There is a disconnect between hunger in our fast paced society and hunger for the word of God. We are often lost and confused. Bridge the disconnect and satisfy your appetite through communion this morning. We are all God's children. Follow Jesus footsteps and abide in his teachings, to the glory of God.

Amen.

Based on readings for week: Micah 6:1-8; Matthew 5:1-12.

2020 01 26

Racial profiling, trafficking minors and an array of unjust activities deprive many. As a society we are all complicit. Right versus wrong. Jesus requested baptism to fulfill all righteousness. Live the moment with John at the river Jordan as Jesus approached. Clear your eyes to that reality and bathe in his truth. Righteousness and judgement onto truth through Jesus baptism. Strengthen your resolve for right over wrong. Walk the path well lit and make a difference. We are all disciples of Christ.

Amen.

Based on the readings: Isaiah 42:1-9; Matthew 3:13-17

2020 01 19

Jesus baptism brought forth righteousness and judgement onto truth, like a healing stream for all. His light opened blind eyes to injustice. There are many shades of injustice enveloping the world. Will we open our eyes to injustice or erode our judgement against injustice? The choice is ours. Stand tall for righteousness with Jesus. Believe in Jesus, live his truth and walk the path well lit. Salvation for those that believe, to the glory of God.

Amen.

Based on readings for the wwek: Isaiah 42:1-9; Matthew 3:13-17

2020 01 12

The truth today seems to be elusive on many levels, from social conversation to high level world diplomacy. Judgements can be distorted resulting in catastrophic incidents. The lack of truth or only partial truth over history has radically changed the outcome of many events. John the baptist preached with fire and brimstone. Imagine standing by him in the river Jordan when Jesus approached requesting to be baptized. His baptism brought forth righteousness and judgement onto truth, like a healing stream for all. Bask in his light and live his truth to the glory of God.

Amen.

Based on the readings for the week: Isaiah 42: 1-9; Matthew 3: 13-17

2020 01 05

Wildfires, heat waves, earth quakes, famines, conflicts worldwide, assassinations, retaliations and more have created many hardships. A sense of helplessness in the age of enlightenment. A knowledge based society with a heart of wood. The glory of God gave us Jesus to save us from the darkness. The three wisemen from the east followed the solitary star to baby Jesus and gave gifts of gold, frankincence and myrrh. Allow Jesus into your heart and ignite an eternal flame for righteousness. Bathe in his light, to the glory of God.

Amen.

Based on the readings for the week: Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12

2019 12 29

Historically leaders are meaured in their body of accomplishments. Today, feedback loops and muti-forms of communication allow leaders instant risk assessment of their policies, and they frequently react negatively to perceived threats to their leadership. Criticism suppressed leads to corruptuion. King Herod was mocked by the wisemen with the birth of Jesus and proclaimed “the slaying of all infant boys under two”. Jesus was born to be leader for all and promoted hope, peace, joy and love. Jesus accepted his critics and embraced them. Embrace Jesus and give freely as he has given his love unconditionally for all.

Amen.

Based on readings for the week: Matthew 2: 13-23

2019 12 22

This is the season of giving. There are so many in need worldwide and around every corner. Giving sustains hope and gives rise to joy for the giver and the receiver. Our hope shines as the solitary star. Jesus Christ is born. Rejoice! His love for all is universal. Allow his live to grow in your heart and love others as you would love yourself. Give of yourself over the Christmas season and all year through. Walk in his light to the glory of God. The wold will be a better place. Hallelujah!

Amen.

Based on the readings for the week: Matthew 1:18-25.

2019 12 15

Today we live in a kaleidoscope of governmental doctrines worldwide, some democratic, come dictatorial and others some measure between. Searching for the ultimate leadership and doctrine over history has proven to be illusive. Hope, peace, joy and love encapsulate all that is positive. Our hope shines as he solitary star for peace. The glory of the Lord gave us the way of holiness through Jesus and the light of Jesus is a comfort and joy for all who hold him in their hearts. The road of life is well lit with his righteousness and truth. Live his truth today.

Amen.

Based on the readings for the week: John 1:1-9; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Isaiah 35:1-10; John 13:34-35.

2019 12 08

Wars, battles and injustices dominate the world landscape throughout history arising indiscriminately as boiling water peculating. No geographic region or race is immune. Is peace on earth achievable? Our hope shines as the solitary star for peace. John the Baptist preached repentance and regret for past wrongs. Jesus was and is the light for righteousness. Peace on earth begins with peace within our hearts. Accept Jesus into your heart, illuminate his precepts and allow them to guide your daily challenges. Salvation is at hand, glory be to God.

Amen.

Based on readings for the week: Isaiah 11:1-12; Matthew 3:1-12.

2019 12 01

There are so many challenges that nationhood world wide confront on a consistent basis. Economic survival in a highly competitive world, climate change spawning droughts, floods and rising sea levels and military conflicts to name a few. We all face our own set of challenges daily. Hope gives optimism to achieve success confronting our challenges. Years ago hope shined as the solitary star for Jesus. As we celebrate communion this morning, bring Jesus more fully into your heart. Accept his teachings and follow his light. An inner peace will blossom and enrich your life, to the glory of God.

Amen.

Based on the readings for the week: Isaiah 2:1-5

2019 11 24

Populism is growing worldwide as the divide between the masses and the elite continues to expand. Technological change is a prime mover expanding the divide. Democratic unrest is festering. Privilege is spawning evil deeds behind closed doors. Be not afraid of the winds of change. Accept Jesus into your heart and follow his truth to light from darkness. Be born again of the spirit. The winds of God will blow the darkness away. Lives will be enriched beyond compare, all for the glory of God.

Amen.

Based on the readings for the week: John 3:14-21

2019 11 17 "166th Anniversary Service"

Today we celebrate with joy the anniversary of Grace United Church. We remember those from the past who built and maintained Grace United and those that continue to support and maintain the life of Grace United. Grace United is more than brick and mortar. It is a family living and breathing collectively in Christ. Time will crumble brick and mortar. Climate change will yield famines, fires, floods and extreme weather events. False gods and deceptions will arise. Believe in Jesus and stand together, hearts beating for Jesus in unison. God’s promise for external life will be fulfilled.

Amen.

Readings for the week: Isaiah 65:17-25; Luke 21:5-11.

2019 11 10

History is riddled with conflict after conflict. Society normally gains wisdom through historical revelations but sadly history has consistently repeated itself many times with wide scale conflicts. Pain and suffering for all, conquest for the victorious and subjugation for the defeated. We remember all that participated in past conflicts, those injured and those that gave the ultimate sacrifice. Lest we forget. Jesus, son of God, taught us to love our neighbour as our self. He paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Welcome Jesus with open arms into your heart and praise the Lord for life eternal. Lest we forget.

Amen.

Based on readings for the week: Psalm 145:1-5,17-21.

2019 11 03

Violence and injustice run rampant at all levels of society and geographic arenas, spiraling indiscriminately before our very eyes. A feeling of helplessness pervades our souls. How can we defend against the anguish and intolerance suffocating our judgement? Jesus is the way forward. Live by his faith, accept him into your heart and follow in his footsteps. We are all sinners. Recognize your transgressions and recommit your life to Jesus. Our faith in Jesus is our armour against injustice, and our salvation. Live your life to the fullest, to the glory of God.

Amen.

Based on reading for the week: Habakkuk 1:1-4,2:1-4; Luke 19:1-10