Meditations for Lent

1. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path by John Newton
2. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth by Eunice Major
3. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. by Marion Conrad
4. Jesus said to Martha: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." by Millie Wagner
5. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want by Margaret Rolfe
6. Jesus wept. by Roger Bureau
7. Teach me your ways, O Lord that I may walk in your paths. by Dot Kelley
8. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us. by George Streb
9. I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? by Hope Cameron
10. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. by Gretchen Gillis
11. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven by Denis Howell
12. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble by Margaret Blandford
13. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. by Andrew Hersey
14. They who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. by Viola Guest
15. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me by Martha Dunbar
16. Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. by Kathleen Flowerdew
17. For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do by Bill Lord
18. He shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways by Nora-gene Goodwin
19. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven. by Ron Harris
20. Rejoice in the Lord always by Jasmine Buisseret
21. His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. by Valerie Powell
22. Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? by David Hazen
23. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. by May Gribben
24. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. by Harry Thompson
25. The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. by Sarah Peake
26. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height , nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. by Richard Cregan
27. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
    by Jackie Foote
28. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. by Pat Writer

On the wall of our garage there hangs a flashlight which I keep for emergency use. Quite often when I go to use it, however, I find that the batteries are dead!

Psalm 119 tells us that the Bible is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path. Unlike my flashlight, however, its batteries never run out! The gospel, the apostle Paul affirms, is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Although originally written thousands of years ago, the Scriptures can still speak to us today with power and relevance.

The twenty-eight meditations which follow are proof of that. Each one is a testimony that God is able to address our twentieth-century needs clearly and powerfully through his word.

It is with a great sense of privilege that I present this series of Lenten devotions, prepared by members of our congregation. They demonstrate the rich variety of ways in which God is touching and transforming lives at St Pauls. They are not arranged in any particular order, nor do they follow any particular overall theme. Each presents a personal perspective on Gods word.

I hope that you will enjoy them and savour them. Even more, I hope you will take time to read, study and apply the passages of Scripture on which they are based and which have brought such meaning to the lives of twenty-four of your fellow parishioners.

John Newton, Rector of St. Paul's Church, Halifax

It is too difficult to choose my favourite passage from the Bible because I love it all from cover to cover. I love the Psalms of David, particularly the 23rd. I love the lessons of Moses, the teaching of St Paul, and the Proverbs. The story of Jesus and his passion.

However, one part of the Bible is permanently engraved on my mind and remains with me to this day. At high school we had prayers every morning before lessons started. Our head , Miss Horser, would glide on to the platform, dressed in her black robe. At least, to me, she seemed to glide. She was petite, very austere and ageless. We all loved, but stood in awe of her. The passage started, And I saw a new heaven and a new earth (We could certainly use a new earth at this time!) Being of an idealistic and imaginative nature and with Utopian ideas in my mind, I regarded it as a firm promise of the peace of the life to come.

I think it shows me the hope we can have in Gods promise to us and a feeling of utter confidence in the life of the world to come. It is wonderfully written and conjures up more beauty than any artist can portray. I suppose being brought up by a devout Quaker mother, I was accustomed to great love, but none of the trivial frills of modern existence, so was very impressed by all this beauty. The passage teaches me that if we try to live according to Gods laws, we are assured of this peace to come. The picture of this beautiful inheritance is forever etched on my mind..

Eunice Major

Many times, as I think of Jesus death on the cross for our sins and the forgiveness we have received through his death and resurrection, I have great difficulty in comprehending Gods great love for us in that he would permit his only begotten Sons crucifixion for our sins.

Even though I strive to live a life that is always acceptable in Gods sight, I know that I fall short of that goal. But how wonderful it is to know that with all my faults, God still loves me and I do have his continued forgiveness.

The above verses bring to me Jesus promise of the resurrection of the body and life after death -- the foundation of our Christian faith. With this great assurance and the knowledge of Gods continuing forgiveness, what more do I need?

Millie Wagner

The people to which these writings were originally addressed were simple, nomadic people familiar with nature and the outdoors. Today this is not so. Most people who read the Scriptures come from urban, man-made environments and are unfamiliar with livestock crops, land, fruit or wildlife. Not being familiar with sheep, wheat or soil, they miss much of the truth in Gods word.

David, the author of the poem was a shepherd and the son of a shepherd. Later he became known as the shepherd king. When he stated, "The Lord is my shepherd," he was referring to Jehovah, the Lord God of Israel. If we stop and ponder on the person of Christ, his power and his works, like David we will be glad to say proudly, "The Lord is my shepherd".

These concepts were made in the mind of God our Father. At night I look out my window and gaze at the stars and the wonder of God the Master Weaver. Since he brought me into the being he is better able to understand and care for me. Christ demonstrated at Calvary his hearts desire to have men come under his tender care. In a real sense I really belong to him.

It is not by accident that God chose to call us his sheep. He delights in caring for us. Is there any doubt that the poet delighted in belonging to the Good Shepherd? Why shouldnt we?

When he was with us, the Good Shepherd gave warning to his disciples: "You will have sorrow and grief. Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Despite our unrivalled wealth in material things we are insecure and unsure of ourselves, and fail in spiritual values. We are forever searching ourselves. Restless, unsettled, greedy, searching, seeking, wondering this and that, never really satisfied in spirit.

The simple Christian, the humble person, can proudly boast, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want".

Margaret Rolfe

After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:5

As some of us explore the fine points of Scripture and become excited by the infinite possibilities of his ministry and what it means to us, there is a danger of becoming remote from the reality of the man Jesus and his incredibly gutsy approach to human relationships.

Most of us were brought up with a clean, aseptic view of our Lord walking around Israel with a coterie of adoring disciples who breathed in his every word and kept him separated from the harshness of the world in which they lived.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Here was a group of illiterate, earthy men scrambling over the countryside, awed and terrified by this incredible person who, every time they thought they understood him, took one more turn in a direction they could not understand.

With the benefit of two thousand years of hindsight;,with the benefit of the reality of the cross and the resurrection; with the benefit of learned scholars who can play mind games with anything found in Scripture;,there is a danger that we are left, not with an understanding of the radical nature of his ministry, but with a distant theoretical presence which we find intellectually stimulating yet emotionally bankrupt.

Two episodes in Jesus life do more to explain Jesus to me than any long winded passages that we find in Pauls letters as he tries to communicate Christs message to us. In fairness, Paul does a series of brilliant expositions in his various letters, which clarify our thought and help us to understand the full meaning of Christs earthly walk. However, it is very easy for us to become bogged down in interpretation rather than in action. In reality it is Jesus own responses that give us our cue as to how he wants us to react to human situations.

On hearing of the death of Lazarus, Jesus wept. We cannot be more compassionate than that. Jesus loved Lazarus as he loves us all. There is nothing more poignant than to know that Jesus let his feelings all hang out for one of his own who had died. We have learnt to be stoic in adversity. Why? Because we have been trained that it is not manly to cry. This is true. It is not manly, it is godly to cry for loved ones! We should not be afraid to let others know how we feel about them. Our reserve does more damage to our relationships than we care to acknowledge. To weep is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. Jesus is telling us to share each others burdens, failures, successes, etc. and not be an island unto ourselves. The name of the game is compassion.

Another startling passage teaches us how worldly values are so foreign to his teachings. The secret of leadership is not to be boss but to serve. Never before has such a radical idea of leadership been put forward. To this day most leaders do not have an inkling of it: after that, he (Jesus) poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples feet, drying them with a towel wrapped around him.

Jesus takes on the most menial task a leader could undertake in that society. Peter is incensed at this. Peters pride is hurt that a man whom he reveres would so humble himself. Jesus explains in a later verse, "Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one anothers feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him" (verses 14 ff.).

There is no theory here. To me this is not subject to interpretation or theological analysis. This is love put into practice. The one who leads must learn to serve. Only then can he be truly a disciple of Christ. Only by example can we lead others to him. None of us is above doing what he calls us to do.

The gospels give us what we need to know of the man we know to be our Lord. He is a man of action, a man of compassion and man who leads by example.. "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" (John 13:17).

Roger Bureau

These Scripture phrases appear throughout the Psalms, especially the Psalms of David, at a time when he pleaded with God for forgiveness and for deliverance from his enemies, in battle. My introduction to these words came, when as a child, I read them daily from a plaque given to me by my grandmother.

I did not know the source or background, at the time but later was "taught" how such a small petition could have so much meaning and provide such comfort, as it did so long ago.

Through this prayer I was sustained when sadness, separations and sudden changes happened in my life as in the lives of others.

In asking for understanding of Gods word I turn to the collect appointed for the Second Sunday in Advent.

I remember, again, that a former curate used this prayer before every sermon. I am sure that the members of the congregation silently joined him.

The last word of the passage is "live". The bond made with the receiving of a small plaque has been a lasting influence and will continue to uphold me in my efforts to serve, to witness and to give thanks always to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanks be to God!

Dot Kelly

This part of the Lords prayer has a greater impact on me than any other part of it or indeed of the whole Bible. It has sometimes been very difficult for me to forgive, and yet this act quite clearly is essential before you can use the Lords prayer. Once this hurdle is overcome, however, there is a great feeling of peace in the mind, for only then can your own trespasses be forgiven. Surely all of us fervently desire forgiveness.

There is no doubt that hate is very harmful to ones well being and does more harm to the hater than to the hated. To avoid this harm, one must replace feelings of hatred with feelings of forgiveness, not only towards others but towards oneself, one must be free of a sense of guilt, of feelings of resentment, of self condemnation and of remorse. Yet you cannot be free until your forgive everyone towards whom you hold resentment.

I have found forgiveness very helpful in my dealings with others. On occasion when I have not liked or even resented the action or words of someone, I have thought then or later of the words as we forgive them that have transgressed against us, and I have corrected my attitude. Thus, although I can acquire a grudge, I cannot long retain it. I am happier with this attitude and probably the other person, in time, is too.

George Streb

I have chosen a favorite Psalm to share with you during this Lenten seasons devotions. The psalms have always been meaningful for me, from the time I was a very young girl at church, Sunday school, and in the front parlour at home. I have always been a musical person and their beautiful cadences speak to me very deeply. The psalms are sources of inspiration, joy, and quiet comfort for me.

Psalm 121 gives me a calming and reassuring message of the Lords steadfastness and continual presence. It tells me that he is a source of protection, support and hope, helping me meet lifes daily problems as well as its major crisis times. As I grow older, I turn to this Psalm more and more often at the times when loved ones depart through death, when family or friends struggle with serious illness, when the many losses of aging seem to outweigh and overshadow any pleasures and joys.

Whether I read this psalm in the church pew, or in my chair at home, I am supported by a feeling of being watched over and taken care of. I also greatly enjoy the chance to sing this psalm in the famous hymn, "Unto the hills around do I lift up my longing eyes," by the Marquis of Lorne. It takes me back to my youth, when on Sunday evenings the family and neighbours would gather around the piano to sing many old favourites. This hymn was always included as we raised our voices in praise, with various family members on the piano and violin and others singing in harmony.

I associate the message of this psalm and hymn with the protection and security of family and friends, who in the image of the Lord, did their best to support and watch over me, and each other. Though these dear souls are no longer here with me, the Lord is, always. For that blessed presence, I give thanks. I hope this message on the meaning of this psalm for me will help you, as you read and sing this Psalm 121 in the future.

Hope Cameron

The ringing woke me. I rushed to silence it before the whole house was jarred awake. It can only be bad news at two in the morning. A collect call from Indonesia. "Your daughter has just come out of emergency surgery. She needs to hear from her family."

Back to bed, too bothered to sleep. Worry, worry. Do they let you lie there and suffer if you cant speak the language? Will she cope with pain and fear? How can I help her when Im on the other side of the world?

Into my anxious mind came those words from a hymn of my childhood:

God sees the little sparrow fall.
It meets his tender view.

How foolish of me not to think of it sooner. God has seen my little sparrow, and he is watching over her, giving her courage to deal with this event. I can give her into Gods care. Sleep.

The first verse of that hymn is based on Matthew 10:29. "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Fathers will. Even the hairs of your head are all numbered, fear not, therefore."

These are simple images, but they hold an empowering message: God knows and loves all of us, whoever and wherever we are.

This incident in my life reminded me that I am not struggling alone with the problems of daily living. I have a companion walking with me, and I must place my faith and trust in him.

Tinker McKay

One of my favourite scriptures is Genesis 1:1 through 2:3. What I love about this Scripture is the way it conveys the goodness of God, goodness that shines through every step of creation; goodness that is intended for all of Gods creation, including women and men, because we are made in his image -- an awesome thought!

I never worry about the question of understanding this story literally vs. the evolutionary theory; I believe the important things is to learn that God is behind it all, whichever way it has happened, and remains with his creation always, in an involved and personal way.

Another reason I love this scripture is because it is the story of beginnings -- our beginnings, eons ago. I have only to enjoy our baby grandson to glimpse again how beginnings carry with them a real sense of hope. When I was a new Christian, about twenty years ago, I turned often to this beginning book of my Bible, enjoying this chapter as much then as I do now, and likewise benefiting from it.

I try to read these verses slowly, savouring those wonderful phrases that occur again and again, And God saw that it was good. I love the simplicity of these words! Reading slowly also helps my imagination to savour all that I know, even in a limited way, of the variety and beauty of Gods creation, and allows me time to think about not only Gods goodness but the wonder and immensity and grandeur of his creation, to marvel at it all, to feel a sense of gratitude and awe.

And I like to reflect on that "seventh day" that God blessed and hollowed, and try to discover how I might keep that day hollowed myself in these busy days.

Finally, I get a deep sense from this Scripture of Gods great love for us all, love which finds its fullest expression in the person of Jesus, our Saviour and Lord, Gods Son.

Gretchen Gillis

Almighty God, who dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy name thou wilt grant their requests. Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them.

The obvious lesson to be derived from this prayer is that we are not always (or ever?) the best judges of our needs. (We often confuse needs with desires). When we ask God for a favour, as individuals or as a congregation, we must not forget that we may be requesting something which we not only do not deserve, but something which we are not equipped to handle, or which may actually be harmful to us. We must always accept that God is the only one who can decide as to which things are our due.

Jesus was aware of this when he prayed at Gethsemane, "Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will". We must therefore consider carefully what things we ask for in our prayers. But we must continue praying for specific help, and often we will be astonished by the nature of the favours God grants us.

This prayer has another, less apparent, lesson for us. It is attributed to St Chrysostom, the "golden-mouthed" Bishop of Constantinople in the 4th century. The eloquence of his preaching established him as the greatest of Christian expositors, and his honesty and asceticism made him a powerful leader in his community. Unfortunately, his tactlessness in his attempts to reform the corrupt state of the court, and people offended many, including the Empress Eudoxia, who took his attempts at moral reform as a censure of herself. Chrysostom was banished, and died in exile.

Clearly, any efforts we make as missionaries or evangelists must be carried out in a manner which is likely to produce the desired effect. Insults or aspersions seldom receive a sympathetic hearing. Teaching by force of example is much more appropriate.

Denis Howell

This psalm reminds us that no matter what trouble or unhappiness comes into our lives, we have a God who is both a refuge and strength, that we need not fear.

In order to have this freedom from fear we must have faith and trust in our God, that he will help us and give us strength to cope with, and overcome our difficulties.

Sometimes, when everything seems against us, we lose heart and may even say that God doesnt care what happens to us, but then we have those wonderful words God is our refuge and strength, therefore we will not fear.

Also in this psalm, there is assurance that one day wars will really cease in all the world and the Lord of Hosts will reign supreme.

Margaret Blandford

The portion of the Bible that has had the greatest influence on me is the first chapter of Genesis. It is simple, if one pauses to think on it, and yet so many experts have analyzed it to death. From my limited knowledge of science, I understand that scientists from all stripes have not differed with the chronology of events in Genesis 1. One of the challenges that has been put forth to Genesis 1 is the contention that all this couldnt have happened in six days. It is forgotten that the reporter was speaking, by todays standards, to a scientifically illiterate people. What would words like millions of years or billions of years have meant to the people of the writers days?

Nobody, scientist nor theologian, has presented a better case for creation than Genesis 1; not Origin of the Species, the Big Bang Theory, etc. notwithstanding. If proof is needed, who was around for the Big Bang?

There seems to be a reluctance to believe in miracles, yet the world is and has been full of them. Little children used to believe in miracles, though Im not sure they do today as we dont seem to wish them to dream while awake. Isnt it a miracle that an ovum and a sperm will come together to produce a living creature? Who or what arranged that? Who arranged that, for example, the ovum of a feline cannot be fertilized by the sperm of a canine? What does science say about this? Who arranged that a tiny seed would produce a plant many millions of times its own size?

From what I understand, Genesis 1 has never been seriously challenged by theological translators. I have never heard of phrases like, The original Hebrew meant, in those days. Genesis 1 seems to play the role of As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be.

For a great many years, I have felt that Genesis 1 is the cornerstone of Christian belief. If you cant believe in this creation, then all subsequent passages of the books of the Bible dont mean, at least to me, nearly as much.

Andrew Hersey

There are so many beautiful Scripture passages, I could go on endlessly.

This one has been so much a part of me. "They who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength" (Isaiah 40:31).

Most things happen to me three-fold. When it is for the good, I rejoice. When the opposite occurs, I try and prepare myself.

Many years ago I suffered a severe illness, which lasted over three years. I was so discouraged, and my patience was wearing thin.

On Sunday morning, I opened my Bible for my usual meditations, this verse was right before me. On Monday I received a note, with a booklet enclosed from a close friend. She had underlined the same verse.

In the evening my rectors wife phoned me, and during our conversation, she quoted the same verse. I really received the message. I felt a calm and peace. Amazing!

At a crisis in my life, dear Walter, my husband, had given me a plaque, with the words. "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of time" (Matthew 28:20). This assurance of Gods precious promise, has always been with me. I am not alone. So I opened my heart, without any doubt of his love and assurance. So my faith became stronger each time.

God had been so good to me, when a door closed, he always opened two doors. Thanks be to God!

So I prayed, "Dear Lord Jesus, you said, you would always be with me. Please help me to be patient, and take one day at a time, for whatever you have prepared for me. Give me the strength and enfold me with your love. To you be all the praise and glory! Amen."

Viola Guest

This is so simple an invitation. Yet its meaning is profound enough as to be almost beyond comprehension! He does not say, "I will be here at this or that time, or one must dress thus and so or possess specific qualifications in order to be acceptable," but, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." This is not an invitation from a remote and unapproachable God but from a friend, counsellor and father, our Redeemer who wants only that his children, unworthy as we are, turn to him in repentance willing to change our ways and follow his teachings.

We have no guarantee of a free ride through life without facing such trials as can come to any and all. And most of us are aware of this by the time we reach some maturity in our growth as Christians. We may face life threatening sickness and the devastation of loss -- of family, friends, our means of earning a living or perhaps our possessions. But in our trust in God we know that he hears our cries, heals our hurt hearts and gives us comfort. After all, he is always close by -- just waiting for us to ask him into our lives. No other in this world can do as much. Mankind is frail, often fickle and may not necessarily stay with us for the long haul. But God still waits.

Let us remember that our Lord is faithful, even when our faith falters. his love for us knows no bounds. In our day-to-day business lets try to keep in mind Gods greatest gift to us -- his eternal love revealed through Jesus. Jesus, who came into this world to teach us how to live, and then of his own free will and his love for us gave up his life for our redemption. Can we love our Lord any less? Martha Dunbar

This verse was drawn to my attention by my mother about five years ago. During the summer of 1973 while my family lived in Vancouver, the youth hostel expected a surplus of young visitors to the city, so they recruited families who would be willing to billet young people in the event that the hostel was filled on any given night. I can remember quite vividly some of the people who stayed in our basement that summer. There were two delightful girls from England who I visited the following year and three brothers from Chicago who had cycled across the country. As young teenagers we gained a lot of insight into the world beyond our city from these people.

Several years later, when my parents were living in Nanaimo, B.C., they operated a bed and breakfast out of their home for about seven years. They thoroughly enjoyed meeting the people who had come to the Island to visit. My parents welcomed them all warmly and their hospitality was greatly appreciated. Many visitors referred their friends to the Mays Bed and Breakfast. Even after they had retired and moved to a smaller home within the city and were no longer in the business, they still received phone calls from people looking for a place to stay.

Because of their reputation of being such good hosts, some friends of theirs in their home parish had this particular Scripture verse printed in lovely calligraphy and framed. It hangs in their dining room and every time I see it I am reminded of some of the angels who came to stay with us over the years.

Kathleen Flowerdew

This verse from Pauls letter to the Christians at Ephesus has, over the years, comforted, challenged and encouraged me, for it seems to encapsulate what the Christian life is all about.

We are Gods workmanship. In this phrase, we find a sense of purposeful design; of pride in a job well done. Occasionally, when thinking about the awesome vastness of the universe and, by comparison, our infinitesimally tiny planet earth, I have felt the terror of utter loneliness and insignificance. How comforting, at such times, to remind myself of Gods creative investment in me and, indeed, in all his creatures, and to realize that he has not simply a proprietary interest in, but a deep and abiding love for, his handiwork.

Created in Christ Jesus to do good works. This is our raison dêtre, and the challenge for me is to live each day with the conscious realization that I have been created for his purpose. Thankfully, Im not called to do them in my own strength. Throughout this letter, Paul emphasizes the fact that whatever God accomplishes for and through us is in Christ, and here is no exception. Paul reminds me that it is in Christ Jesus, and him alone, that I am able to do those good works which lead people to glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Which God prepared in advance for us to do. I no longer think, as I did when I was much younger, that God has some celestial blueprint that he expects me slavishly to follow. However, these words remind me that he does have a plan, and I am encouraged by the realization that, as a member of his church, I have a unique part to play in bringing Gods plan to fruition. Surely, then, I should pray that I might be open to Gods leading day by day; and that I will have both the courage and the will to respond in obedience to the opportunities he places before me.

May we, during this Lenten period, reflect upon Gods grace shown to us in Christ, and be thankful.

Bill Lord

As a young girl growing up in Fredericton, N.B., I frequently had occasion to visit Miss Mary Peters. Miss Peters was born in Saint John, N.B., in 1884. In 1911 she entered the Church of England Deaconess House and in 1917 graduated from nursing at the Toronto General Hospital. She left that fall for China and did not make her final return to Canada until 1948. Many of you reading this knew Miss Peters niece, the late Mary Arnold, wife of Bishop George Arnold.

Over the years that I spent visiting her, Miss Peters shared numerous memories of her life in Honan with me. When she arrived, her mission area in the Honan Province, with the St Pauls Hospital, was just beginning to take shape in a barren field. Over the next 31 years, Miss Peters devoted her life to nursing and Christian ministry to both the Chinese people and the nursing students that she taught. She endured tremendous hardships during her life there, but also received tremendous rewards. For instance, an abandoned child raised by Miss Peters and the other missionaries at the hospital, turned into one of her finest nurses. Her faith always remained steadfast.

During her stay in China, one of her patients carved eleven small figurines depicting various aspects of the Chinese way of life. When Miss Peters was finally forced to leave her beloved China during the communist takeover, she left with only that which she could carry on her back. The carvings were among those few treasured possessions. I always admired the collection when I visited her.

When I was eleven years old, I was at home recovering from ear surgery, when a package arrived in the mail for me. The package was from Miss Peters and contained the carvings from China. It is difficult to express how truly honoured both my parents and I felt that she had given me this collection. They remain one of my most valuable possessions today.

The reason that I share this story with you, is that Miss Peters frequently had occasion to pray and repeat from Psalm 91, in particular, He shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways. I believe that his angels kept Miss Peters safe and unwavering in her deep devotion to God and missionary work. In times of trouble in my own life, I have referred back to the same passage, gaining strength and trust in my faith in Gods love.

For me, it was both an honour and pleasure to have known such a fine Christian person as Miss Mary Peters.

Nora-gene Goodwin

If I had only one word to describe my experience as a Christian, I think that one of the first words I would think about would be the word: forgiven. One story that I especially like is in Mark chapter 2: When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven. (Mark 2:5) This is such a wonderful story, for it shows the divine prerogative of our Lord to forgive sins and involves people, whose faith Jesus honoured, because they brought this man to him.

Jesus often uses stories such as the prodigal son to illustrate forgiveness and then shows the practical outcome of forgiveness when he says to those who are believers in him, "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." (Matthew 6:14) and points out the serious consequence of not forgiving others by saying, "But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:15) Forgiveness is distinctively Christian for no other religion in the world has a cross that allows God who is holy and righteous to forgive me the sinner. That is why we repeat constantly in the Apostles Creed, "I believe ... in the forgiveness of sins". It is pregnant with meaning, for my sins are the only thing that separate me from God.

Forgiveness, in a sense, is the negative side of justification (that word we are hearing about in the sermons each Sunday at St Pauls). Justification, as we have heard, is the declaration by God that the guilty is acquitted. Two things happen: 1) the positive side is that there is the imputation, i.e., the transfer of the righteousness of Christ to you/me and 2) the negative side: your/my sins are removed and forgiven when we trust Christ.

I also love to think of the generous way that God forgives: the Father throws his arms around the returned prodigal; the lost sheep is brought home on the shoulders of the shepherd; the person who is in debt has nothing to pay and his debt is completely wiped out -- cancelled. There is a sense that we are, through faith in our Lord Jesus, a forgiven people but there is also the need of continual forgiveness.

Forgiveness is something that has become central to me in my life as a Christian and the Lenten season is a wonderful time for me to think of the cost of my forgiveness, through the death and sufferings of our Saviour, and to remember my need to forgive others.

Ron Harris

Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see,
All I have needed thy hand hath provided,
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

Is God really there? Yes wait on him in hope and expectancy.

April 1995. How can this happen? Such evil and lies directed against me! My anguish and pain is more that I experienced when my beloved father suddenly died from a heart attack.

O God my Father, you do not want people to hurt each other but they do. Will I sink or swim? Between the tears you give me a glimpse that I will swim. To survive I have to dwell on you and your loving nature and turn to Gods followers for support.

You direct me to a book on forgiveness. I dont want to forgive! Again and again I read, "Wait on God." It is too hard. I want God to act now. Why doesnt he?

February 1996. Looking back over the past 6 months God Im truly amazed! How you have changed me! You have given me grace to cope with day to day sadness. After struggling against you for months you enabled me to forgive and feel at peace.

"Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father." O God my Father how little I understand what you are willing to do for your children! You will in your time do your work. And now what do I wait for? I scarcely know. I can only say, "My hope is in thee."

Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see,
All I have needed thy hand hath provided,
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

Valerie Powell

This passage was one of the lectionary readings from a few weeks ago. In it the writer is speaking to the nation of Israel in the latter days of the exile, addressing the sense, among the people, that God was no longer listening to them. Fasting was prescribed as an aid to "catching the ear of God" by going without food for a specified period, wearing sackcloth and ashes and generally going though the motions of humbling ones self. They were going through all the right forms, but the assurance that God heard their prayers eluded them.

A theme which runs through the history of mankind, as recorded in the Bible, is that of our attempts to put God "in a box". This controlled god can be let out as a magic talisman when we want him, but can also be shut away when his presence is not convenient. Of course, God, who created the universe, cannot be put in a box. His power cannot be summoned by following the forms of ritual. The words of Isaiah are intended to explain to the people of Israel that it is not the forms that are pleasing to God -- but seeking and doing his will, including correcting injustice.

Fasting today has gone out of fashion. Some recent works like Richard Fosters Celebration of Discipline remind us that there is a valid place for fasting in our spiritual life, but it is not a common practice. Nonetheless, there is and Anglican tradition of "giving something up for Lent" which carries through to today. The idea of "giving something up" has merit, but there is always the need to be honest about our motivation. My tendency is to consider giving up something that I ought to be doing less of anyway -- something like drinking coffee or eating deserts. The honesty bit forces me to admit that perhaps my motivation has had more to do with some guilt over my caffeine level and waistline than an effort to improve my communication with my maker. God needs to be the focus of our devotions, not a potential side benefit of a healthier lifestyle.

The season of Lent is a time when we are called to particularly examine ourselves to see what barriers we have erected against God. The most significant of these is the presence of unconfessed sin in our lives. Two others have to do with listening. We listen too much to the "busyness" of day to day life and not enough to the kinds of things that God hears.

The "busyness" of life, from the demands of the office to the tasks of preparing and consuming food, is very effective in dominating every waking moment. A call to fasting and prayer involves consciously setting aside time from this busyness to spend time with God. Full or partial fasting is a way of reclaiming part of our day so that the time can be spent with him. The pangs of hunger, or the call of a cup of coffee, can be used as reminder, a string tied around our finger, to spend a moment in prayer. If we want God to listen to us, we need to take time to listen to him.

The other part of listening is to be aware that God hears the cries of his people. In this passage and throughout the Bible the message comes through that God hears cries for justice, particularly from those who lack a strong voice in this world: the poor, the hungry and the oppressed. If we want to hear God, we must also be prepared to hear, and respond to, the other cries that have his attention.

God is not a celestial accountant, balancing acts of piety against our sins. He is our creator who loves us and wants us to get to know him and spend time with him So, if you plan on doing something like giving up coffee for Lent, try use the time you would spend finding and drinking that cup of coffee as an opportunity for a moment of prayer.

Oh yes, and while you are giving up that morning cup of coffee, why not toss the money you would normally plug into the coffee machine in a jar and donate it to the Primates Fund or one of the food banks?

David Hazen

I have many favourite chapters and verses of Scripture and each time I read or think on these, a new thought or message is revealed to me, guided, I know, by the Holy Spirit.

For example, as a young Christian seeking to serve the Lord and grow to know him better and in a more personal way, there were often times, even as there are today, when I would wonder if I were really pleasing my heavenly Father. Had my newly found faith really changed my life and, if so, why did I feel such a failure so often, especially when opportunities rose for witnessing to others?

On such occasions I would turn to Gods word, seeking reassurance and, somehow, though I know it was not mere chance, I found myself turning to the psalms. David seemed to be such a human young person, yet he appeared to know the secret of understanding God in such a close and personal way, which I envied. It is not surprising, therefore, that, reading Davids thoughts, written in such beautiful language, became a source of real joy and blessing in my life. I could empathize with him, as I am sure most of us can today. He had experienced every aspect of life and human emotion possible -- joy, sorrow, illness, death of loved ones, sinfulness, contrition, forgiveness, fighting for his country, etc. The list is amazing. Yet at the closing days of his life he could say, "I have been young and now I am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread."

It is with these thoughts in mind that I would just like to share some verses which have been particularly precious to me since I first put my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour.

As mentioned earlier, when doubts assailed me (and I soon learned that these came from the tempter) I would turn to Psalm 103, which reminded me of what the Lord had done for me and would continue to do for me the rest of my life. Verses 12,13 and 14 became a great comfort when I realized that he, who had made me, understood me better than I understood myself.

As I continued to enjoy the psalms and memorize some of them, I came to Psalm 139 and, again I was reminded of Gods omnipresence. I was thrilled to realize that, no matter where I was, or, in whatever situation I might find myself, I would never be alone because this wonderful God would never leave me. I could now call him my Father, who would love and care for me as no one else could. Verses 9 and 10 of this chapter are great favourites.

Neither time nor space permit mention of every favourite. However I would like to finish these thoughts with a short reference to a psalm which, I believe, is the most universally known. Usually referred to as "The Shepherd Psalm", the 23rd encompasses everything one could ask or need in life, and expresses the wonderful confidence which David exudes so clearly.

A Shepherd who watches over us continually night and day, the Lord himself confirms Davids words in John 10. When he sees we need rest and spiritual refreshment he guides us to our quiet places. If we have a tendency to stray, as sheep often do, he gently leads us back to the right path. Even when it is time to face death, the Shepherd is there waiting to walk with us through the valley, and then what a glorious promise -- we shall dwell with him forever.

I believe Psalm 23 is the epitome of a committed Christians confidence in his or her walk with the Lord. It expresses such assurance of the divine Shepherds continual companionship, his concern for our well being, and his promises to be with us right through to the end of lifes journey and on to the wondrous joys which he has already prepared for us. Truly, we have a great Shepherd!

As we draw near to Easter, may we contemplate, perhaps as never before, what it cost our Shepherd to make the promises of Psalm 23 possible for those who trust him. The eastern shepherds take good care of their sheep. They even name each one of the flock and know if one is missing, then search until it is found. John 10:11, however, tells us of the only Shepherd who willingly laid down his life for his sheep.

During this wonderful season, may each heart turn afresh to Calvary in gratitude and praise for all that our Saviour was willing to suffer to win our salvation.

Let us say with joyful hearts: The Lord is great and greatly to be praised... (1 Chronicles 16:25).

May Gribben

In reflecting on Gods goodness to me over the past year, my mind goes back to the Scriptures and the imperatives given to the spiritual quality of gratitude. The Bible is filled with exhortations to thankfulness and praise to our great God -- for who he is and for what he has done for us, especially in the person and work of our Saviour. In fact, praise stems from gratitude -- gratitude that God has entered our lives and made us his own.

What is gratitude? Another has said that it is a spiritual attitude that reflects our view of God and the position we are willing to take before him. It takes nothing for granted. Greed takes; gratitude receives. Greed is autonomous; gratitude dependent. It arises from a quality within that is not dependent for its existence on circumstances being favourable. Gratitude is active, not passive.

It is not without significance that the first sin, and perhaps the basis for all other, is unthankfulness, the absence of gratitude (Romans 1:21). According to St Paul, the ungrateful heart is the seed from which many of the darkest sins arise, creating the ultimate tragedy of humanity -- a lostness from God evidenced by a blinded mind and a lonely heart.

We are conditioned to be ungrateful by the world around us. It plays on our greed, expectations, reputations, false senses of comparison with others, and on our alleged "inviolable rights". The barrenness of busyness and the lost art of meditation contribute to the problem.

How can we become more grateful? First of all, by becoming aware of the cultural forces around us. By being aware and cognizant of various that mitigate against our being grateful, we will be better able to focus upon the things of greatest importance -- Christ and his kingdom. Secondly, by reading and reflecting on Scripture our minds and hearts will be transfixed on the things that really matter. Our personal relationship with God, which is of primary importance, will deepen and become more meaningful. We will learn to know that God is good -- by experience and not by hearsay -- and appropriately express our praise and gratitude to him.

During this Lenten season, may each of us pause and reflect about the ways in which God has been good to us -- both in terms of his great salvation and the many little ways that our lives have been enriched by his grace.

If these things become personally meaningful to each of us, we will find ourselves fully thankful, which will promote the experience of praise and thereby rejoice the heart of God himself.

Harry Thompson

I have spent many hours in the past few weeks in a dimly lit room cuddling a wakeful baby. Im sure that anyone who has ever cared for a child will understand the sense of loneliness that I sometimes feel as my baby and I rock the minutes and hours away each night. Although I often enjoy these rare moments of quiet and solitude, sometimes the night causes my imagination to run wild: problems and fears which by day seemed small, suddenly become overwhelming.

I was feeling this loneliness one night last week, when I began to think of the words of Psalm 121. I imagined myself in the mountains, looking up to their tremendous heights, and felt immediately the presence of God: God, the creator of the mountains, creator of the tiny baby I was holding, and creator of me. The psalmists words reassured me that, though the rest of my family was asleep, my Father was not. Instead, he was watching over me, the way that I was watching over the child in my arms.

When I am tired, when the responsibilities of caring for my children threaten to overwhelm me, this psalm reminds me how great Gods love and protection are for me. As Thomas can depend on me to answer his cry in the night, so can I depend on God, my Father. The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Sarah Peake

These are the concluding words of Pauls lengthy discussion of the fundamentals of our salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. He has told us of our sinfulness and the insufficiency of any legalistic approach to it. He has also told us of the temptations we face and the sufferings and struggles we bear. Of these he had experienced more than his fair share. He knew well of what he spoke.

Yet in the midst of all the negativity, we might say excessive by the standards of our time, his conclusion, expressed in glorious and victorious terms, is that there are no forces in this world which can ultimately overcome Gods love for us.

This is only possible if we have certainty in our faith. There is obviously much that we cannot be certain about in this world. In most practical situations a reasoned calculation is all we need. However, the love of God is not understood nor received, if we merely contemplate its existence. It must be received and responded to without doubts. To quote a learned commentator, "But everything depends on whether you are sure of it." The essence of the relationship is that it be unconditional or without qualification. To be otherwise is only to diminish it. The reception of Gods love will not be without its struggles. There will always be opposing forces. However, having a sure and certain faith we shall be victorious.

Richard Cregan

Psalm 23 has been one of my favourite Bible texts since I was a child and learned to sing it at the assembly which started every school day. I have now used this song for so long that I sometimes think I really understand how David was feeling when he wrote those special verses! It is for me the ultimate composite text. Perfect for all occasions and certainly worthy of contemplation.

As a prayer of thanksgiving it reinforces my total dependence on the Lord and covers all aspects of my life. As a plea for forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration it is helpful. As a song of praise it raises my soul to new heights of adoration. The various tunes can be used to reflect different specific occasions.

I have recited Psalm 23 during times of great sadness and loneliness and have been immediately comforted and reminded that I am not alone. I have breathed a few lines of this psalm during very difficult business meetings and the hostility and anger are usually soothed. Likewise at meetings when I am nervous and under attack I have felt relieved and reinforced and inspired.

I have also found Psalm 23 extraordinarily potent when used as a prayer for a third party, and the prayer is complete. It seems to me to be particularly effective as a means of praying Gods protection around someone.

Finally, it is a beautiful lullaby and I always sing it when I am charged with putting a little body to bed!

Jackie Foot

It was after reading a letter in a newspaper, written in response to a discussion on creation, that these verses became of vital importance to me. I do not have the letter. I wish I did. I cannot even remember its content. So I find it difficult to explain why its reference to these verses had such a profound effect on me. It was like a revelation. Suddenly I saw the answers to many things that had puzzled me and raised doubts in my scientific mind. The pieces of the jigsaw puzzle fell into place and I saw the complete picture, perhaps not clearly, but at least "through a glass darkly" and enough to sustain me until, in the fullness of time, I shall see "face to face".

The confusion in my mind about the creation and the Trinity was resolved to the extent that I felt at peace. I saw that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are one and yet each can be separate from the whole, that they have existed since the beginning of time, are here now, and will be until the end of time and beyond. I see Jesus, as part of the Trinity, involved in the creation of the world, the original covenant with Abraham, the giving of the Law to Moses, and eventually in the revealing of Gods love and Gods word to us in the presence of himself in human form on earth. "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." I see that he is, and always has been, with the Father and the Spirit, a part of the inconceivable Whole and thus a part of all that has ever happened and continues to happen, from the beginning to beyond the end of time.

Strangely enough, although I cannot recall the words of that letter, the effect they had on my understanding of those verses of St John has never left me. So that I can believe in the inconceivable -- the God who conveys to us his message of wisdom, truth and love through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Pat Writer