Perspectives by Rev. Janet Evans

 

God cares, even in the storms

The story goes that Jesus had spent the day at the seashore, teaching crowds that had gathered to see him. Because the crowds were so large, Jesus sat in the boat just offshore so that people could see and hear him. His boat became his pulpit. He had to speak loudly. 

That’s exhausting work! To “connect” with a large crowd hour after hour without a microphone will wear down even the strongest person. 

When evening came, Jesus told his disciples to pull up the anchor and to set out for the other side of the lake, several miles away. Once they were underway, Jesus pulled up a cushion and fell asleep, exhausted.

While Jesus slept, a great windstorm arose, stirring up great waves which threatened to swamp the boat. The disciples became alarmed, because they could see that the winds and the waves were too much for their small boat. They were far from shore–and they were really afraid. 

Jesus’ disciples woke him up, and said, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus was their leader, and they were in trouble. 

When people are in trouble, they naturally turn to their leader and cry, “Help us! Save us! DO SOMETHING!”  

Jesus turned to his disciples, and said: “Why are you afraid? Do you not have faith in God?

What about you? You have most certainly experienced storms in your life. You might be in the midst of a storm right now–some sort of health problem–or relationship problem–or financial problem. I think that you sometimes find yourself crying out, “Jesus, do you not care that I am perishing?” Maybe you pray, “Jesus, help me! Save me! Do something!” By the way, that in of itself, is a good prayer! 

Sometimes, God makes it possible for us to live joyful, productive lives in spite of the storms raging around us and within us. 

Someone put it this way: “Sometimes the Lord calms the storm; sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms the believer!”

People find the words of the 23rd Psalm comforting:”Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff–they comfort me.” 

That Psalm acknowledges that life isn’t always green pastures and still waters. Life sometimes leads us into dark valleys. But even in those dark valleys, God is with us. Even in those dark valleys–especially in those dark valleys–God comforts us.

Sometimes we want to give in–to give up. 

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.” 

Even in the storms, God cares. Even in the darkest valleys, God cares. In the midst of your storms and dark valleys continue praying–and see if God doesn’t calm the storms of your life. 

Rev. Norine Gullons

Sth. Dundas Evangelical

Lutheran Parish

Morrisburg/Williamsburg

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Since the approval of the first COVID-19 vaccine in December 2020, there has been a flood of optimistic messages that we all will receive vaccines soon. But soon is a relative term and as the […]

 

Men's Practical Guide to Valentine's Day!

No need to panic. February 14 is tomorrow. There’s still time to locate the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your significant other. 

However, I should point out that, fair or not, the onus for creating a perfect romantic Day, falls squarely on men’s shoulders. Sorry, guys, but that’s just the way it is. It’s up to you to make this whole hearts and flowers thing work, at least on this one day of the year.

On the bright side, somehow get the right gift, and you might just be able to slide on all those past forgotten anniversaries and birthdays. Choose the wrong gift… well, you recall those -25 C nights this winter? Think colder. And longer.

Practical Rule One: Flowers are always nice. However, you may have waited a little too long to pick some up. The flower shops could be cleaned out. This may, therefore, necessitate an emergency run to the grocery store. 

Under no circumstances, pick up a bouquet that is marked “50 per cent off. Priced for quick sale,” and then forget to take the tag off. And let me emphasize, that if you are trying to “say it with flowers,” presenting her with a cactus is always a mistake.

Practical Rule Two: Never give a woman something she needs on Valentine’s Day (exceptions, a pass to an exclusive spa, a Caribbean cruise). Now you may think a new dish drainer and a scrub brush are just the thing. Wrong. A friend of mine once presented his wife with a sander for Valentine’s Day. He honestly thought she needed one.

He earnestly assures me that he spent about a month, rather worried about just what she was planning to…sand.

No, your gift must be something she wants, something she dreams of. Good luck.

Practical Rule Three: Giving your beloved tickets to a very special event, one that she might even share with you, has potential. However, you need to think this through. Handing her an envelope with “Honey, I got us the last two tickets to Fuzzy McBeard’s seminar, Ripping Tales of the Moose Hunt,” might be a mistake.

Practical Rule Four: Chocolate. Not the ‘three bars for a buck’, but something European, decadent. Do not, however, under any circumstances, jovially remark, as you present the candy, “A few extra laps on the old exercise bike will soon get those extra pounds off.”

Practical Rule Five: The romantic, candle-lit, home-made dinner. Make certain that pizza delivery boxes and/or crumpled fast food bags are not on the counter. Get down the cook book your grandmother gave you 20 years ago (still in the original wrapper) and puzzle out one of the exciting recipes, written in a language with which you are completely unfamiliar.

This could be the evening your beloved and you will never forget. Especially if the two of you get to spend it with the local volunteer fire department. 

Still, as a consolation, now, at least, you will know what the term flambé means.

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