Our Church, Our Place, Our Community

Reflections from Rev’d Warner Wilder

Two adventurous boys who were good friends were exploring caves when they found what appeared to be huge bear tracks deep inside a long tunnel. They bravely decided to keep going, keeping their eyes and ears open in case they actually encountered a bear. Suddenly, from behind a rock jumped the biggest, meanest-looking grizzly bear. Scared to death, the boys decided they had better run for their lives.

Just then, one of the boys dropped to the ground and started untying his boots. He whipped his boots off, jammed on his running shoes, and began tying the laces. His exasperated friend yelled at him, ‘Come on, man! Let’s get out of here. Why in the world are you changing shoes? We don’t have much chance of outrunning the bear anyway.’

Lunging to his feet and starting to run, his friend replied, ‘I don’t have to outrun the bear. All I have to do is outrun you!’

We are about to celebrate the birth of someone who came to be a friend to the world, and on a more personal basis, a friend to each and every one of us. One of the great things about having Christ as a friend is knowing that he will never leave not forsake us.

‘I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.’ Hebrews 15:5

Giving

There is a true story of a 13-year-old boy who read about Dr Schweitzer’s work in Africa. He wanted to help. He had enough money to buy one bottle of aspirin. He wrote to the Air Force and asked if they could fly over Dr Schweitzer’s hospital and drop the bottle down to him. A radio station broadcasted the story about this boy’s concern for helping others. The story spread. Others responded as well. Eventually, he was flown by the Air Force to Schweitzer’s hospital, along with over four tonnes of medical supplies worth half a million dollars freely given by thousands of people. This, of course, would be the equivalent of millions of dollars today.

If we all do our little bit, together we will make a difference.

‘Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more.’ Luke 6:38.

Salt of the earth

A man walked into a grocery store and asked, ‘Do you sell salt?’ ‘Ha,’ said the storekeeper, ‘Do we sell salt! Just look!’ He showed the customer one entire wall of shelves stocked with nothing but salt – rock salt, sea salt, garlic salt, iodized salt – every kind of salt imaginable.

‘Wow,’ said the customer. ‘You think that’s something,’ said the storekeeper, ‘Come with me.’ He led the customer to a back room filled with shelves and bins and cartons of salt. ‘Do we sell salt!’

‘Incredible,’ said the customer, ‘You really do sell salt.’ ‘No,’ said the storekeeper, ‘That’s just the problem. We don’t sell salt, but that salt salesman, oh boy, does he sell salt!’

The most obvious quality of salt is that it lends flavour to food. As Christians, we should be adding flavour to life. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, and all too often people associate Christianity with negative attributes such as judgmental, exclusive and boring. If we really want to promote Christianity, it is important that we are seen to be full of the joys of life and embracing all and sundry with love.

‘Always be full of joy in the Lord. Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.’ Philippians 4:4-5

Forgiveness

There is the story of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, who was sailing to America when he witnessed the keel-hauling of a member of the crew for an offence aboard the ship. This was a particular cruel form of punishment as it meant being tied to a rope, thrown overboard, drawn under the vessel and out the other side. There was always the chance that you would drown.

The captain said to John Wesley as they watched, ‘You see, Mr Wesley, I never forgive.’ It was not for John Wesley to question the captain’s power of command but he could and did question that statement. He replied, ‘Then, sir, I hope you never sin.’

How can we ever expect forgiveness if we are not prepared to extend forgiveness.

‘If you forgive others, you will be forgiven.’ Luke 6:37

Listening to God

A man who operated an icehouse lost a good watch in the sawdust. He offered a reward, and men went through the sawdust with rakes, but they were unable to find the watch. When they left the building for lunch, a small boy went into the icehouse. A few minutes later he came out with the watch. They asked him how he had found it, and he replied, ‘I just lay down in the sawdust and listened. Finally, I heard the watch ticking.’

One of the most effective ways of communicating with God is to just be quiet and listen for his presence. In the hustle and bustle of life, this is not easy to do, but do try it. You might be surprised.

‘Be still and know that I am God.’ Psalm 46:10