The apostle James uses two images to describe how the word of God works in our lives. He likens it to a mirror that shows us what we are like and he likens it to a two-edged sword that pierces to the centre of our being. Both images invite us to look at ourselves in light of what God has to say. Today's meditation, about Joseph and his brothers, speaks of our openness to what God is doing, to our acceptance of it, and to our willingness to forgive and move on in light of it. I mean, who would have ever expected Joseph to behave in this way? Few would have expected him to see the hand of God in his brothers' treachery or in the many adversities that he suffered.

Here is one of the more challenging pieces of Scripture, though it may not seem that way at first. Here John is calling us to love one another, and not just with talk and good intentions but in action. So, here is the hard part: how do we demonstrate love, act in a loving manner, with those with whom we disagree, whether politically or theologically or on any other basis? We might choose to limit this just to fellow Christians, fellow church members, but I have heard some very unloving comments even there. So, how do we do what John says, and love each other? That's the challenge probably for most, if not all of us, especially in this very fractured and antagonistic time.

today's meditation speaks on our accountability towards God

Today’s meditation talks about the lordship of Christ, but not in the abstract--in reality!

James in his letter to believers likens the word of God to a mirror, a mirror that shows us what we look like, what we are. Certainly, I find that this is true with regards to God's written word, the Holy Scriptures. I find that they really do reveal the truth. But, then, as with a mirror, we have to decide what to do with what we have seen.

Today focuses on our need of God (and how we need to admit that need--and act on it!)

Then, in today's passage, John's account of Jesus healing the man born blind, I heard loud and clear an injunction to avoid labeling others and to instead undertake the difficult task of listening, especially listening to those that we don't see eye to eye with.

Our reading today, from 1 John, sort of echoed yesterday, but in a more 'spiritual' sense, with its idea of 'sharing'. Most of us have grown up with the idea that sharing is most important, but just how far do we take this? For many of us, sharing when it becomes uncomfortable, and especially when it comes to a verbal witness to Christ, is often something we shy away from.

Someone once said (here I paraphrase, because I don't have the precise words) that the function of the gospel is to 'afflict the comfortable' and to 'comfort' the afflicted. Well, I was surprised--and not entirely delighted--to get the sense that our three meditations for today do exactly that:

The central part of Luke's Gospel on Sunday, the so-called Sermon on the Plain, emphasized something of the injustices of our present world, and to me, at least, seemed to call out a response on our part, of 'working for justice.'

Today's passage talks about our differences of opinion, often in seemingly inconsequential items, and how we need to show grace to each other. After all, God has already shown such grace to us.

Today's passage from Genesis talked about God's unmerited favour, His grace, towards a totally undeserving person, namely Jacob. He was a scoundrel if there ever was one. He certainly didn't merit or deserve God's grace, but then neither do any of us. That's the nature of grace.

It seems as if 'weariness' is the name of the game these days. I find that this sentiment envelopes me every time February rolls around, but this time its worse. There's the business of the weather, of course, but also with having to basically either be locked down or very careful, it's easy to be wearied by all of it. And then all the flack and controversy of all the public discourse these days, plus the restrictions on worship and church activities, it is hard not get weary these days. This is something that the apostle Paul knew well and addressed in today's passage. I hope you find my meditation on this helpful and inspiring.

In today's meditation we see the other side of the coin, namely that whether we look at the personal side of things, or the corporate, we do have some responsibilities. And both of these injunctions stem from one source, that is, the mercies of God. Because of the mercies we should go lightly on judging, and because of the mercies of God, we should respond in certain ways--all of it, therefore, arising from what God has done for us in Christ Jesus.

In today's meditation we get the idea that we should 'cut each other a bit of slack', for we all fall short (sin) and flub it from time to time. (And this is just for others, but for ourselves as well).

Today, I hear something similar to yesterday, namely that in all of life's little duties and responsibilities, Christ is always there for us and can be depended upon to help us in carrying them out. Indeed, we can throw our weight upon Him because He is everything we need. For me, as someone who often tries to be self-sufficient (and 'do it myself', thank you very much), a stubborn Englishman at heart, this is quite a wake-up call.

I am reminded that our very brokenness, sinfulness, and frailty as humans should serve as a reminder of just how much we need a Saviour. This realization should impel us to place our trust and faith in Him and rely wholly upon Him.

Today's meditation continues on the theme of how we should live, and can be taken in two ways. My own meditation, which I see as more positive, speaks of how our lives should reflect our thanksgiving and gratitude for what God has done for us and has promised to us. The Forward meditation, however, takes a different tack, namely of how our present behaviour should reflect a readiness to receive what God has for us, namely that we should be ready because we are 'running out of time'. Any way you look at it, its message is most timely and appropriate.

As someone who used to be a runner, both in track and field and in soccer, I have always been impressed with the image of a crowd of witnesses, a crowd of supporters in the stands, cheering us on. One of the things I have previously done, on or around All Saints' Day, is to remember my particular group of witnesses, my personal saints. And, not just to remember them by name and thank God for them specifically and individually, but on occasion, to also reach out to them in particular and thank them in person. We have no idea just what that can mean to people. Well do I remember doing this with one of my grade school teachers, Miss Henderson. I phoned her and thanked her, and I could tell, even over the phone, that she was deeply moved. In fact, she told me that no one else, in all her years of teaching school, had ever thanked her. So maybe, remembering what today's passage says about these wonderful folks, we can try to do the same--even if it doesn't 'happen' to be All Saints' Day.

in seeing that 'religious duties', even the old seemingly tired ways, the tried & true, can be mightily used by God.

in realizing that our small, seemingly significant, decisions and actions can have an incredible & far-reaching impact;