We are experiencing a spectacular Autumn season here in Ontario.
Pauline and I drove out to the hills twenty miles West of Barrie yesterday to take in the scenic views;places like Glen Huron, The Garden of Eden, Blue Mountain and a dozen other villages nestled in kaleidoscopes of Fall brilliance.
Today is family-time at my daughter Sarah's house where the full Wilson Clan of 18 will be gathered.
Although we will be dining on a butterball turkey with all the trimmings, we do not call this national holiday "Turkey Day".
There has been enough secular debasement of our wonderful Christian Festivals for us to add to such indignity.
We rightly call this special day "Thanksgiving Day".
Before our meal one of our children will lead us in a heartfelt prayer of appreciation for all the bounty that we experience in this giant land of Canada. He, or she, will also pray in the name of Jesus Christ because of Whose love we enjoy these many blessings.
That's not been religious, folks. That is simply admitting to the facts of our nation's history and our own family legacy.
We think that to express our faith and gratitude in this way is simply showing good manners to God, Who is a most wonderful Heavenly Father to us all.
Jubilate.
Ian
This week Peter Higgs has been awarded the Nobel prize in particle Physics. He and fellow scientist, Francois Englert, developed the theory that most of the universe is made up of dark(invisible) force,a strange energy seemingly without mass to accompany it.
To prove his theory that there MUST be particles somewhere in this energy field an atom smasher was constructed in central Europe. It is the biggest machine in the world (thirty kilometers in circumference) created to detect the smallest of all particles. Cost of all this?
20 billion dollars.
The missing invisible particle has become known as the "God" particle.
Think of this.
My New Testament is 6 inches long by 4 inches wide.
It tells me in the Book of Colossians that the universe was created by the Word of God, is superintended by His power and held together by His Spirit.
This little Bible cost fourteen dollars.
Through reading it I found not the "God Particle" but God Himself.
Now you tell me which is the best deal?
Jubilate.
Ian
Today is an anniversary worth remembering.
A year ago while travelling home from school with her friends, Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by Taliban gun men. Her school was in the Swat Valley in Pakistan, a known haven for terrorists and Islamic fanatics.
Two of these madmen jumped onto the school bus, demanded to know which of the girls was Malala and, on finding out, shot her without a blink of compassion before her school mates.
Her crime. Advocating for the right of equal education for the girls of her native land of Pakistan.
A year later this valiant young hero, still but fifteen years old, has become the Taliban's worst nightmare.
In the past twelve months she has appeared in Time Magazine as the Woman of the Year, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace prize and has been the seed that has grown into a movement for the emancipation of women throughout the Islamic world.
All hail to the virtues of courage, tenacity, moral rectitude and resolute conviction that have made her a universal model for the fairer sex.
If she was a Roman Catholic I would instantly nominate her for sainthood.
Jubilate.
Ian
Well the Bible does speak about the children of God being:
"His people and the sheep of His pasture."
However this is but ONE of roles that a Christian fulfills.
How about some other "S"s as well as "S" for sheep?
We have:
1) "S" for the Christian Soldier.
2) "S" for the Christian Saint.
3) "S" for Christian Sons and Daughters.
4) "S' for Christian Servants
5) "S" for Christian Students.
There are probably a lot more roles that the believer fulfills but, suffice it to say, I agree with the little guy in the cartoon
"WE ARE FAR MORE THAN JUST SHEEP"
Jubilate.
Ian
