For all of you that took basic Phycology way back in high-school, or in first year university, you will be familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Abraham Maslow was a psychologist most famous for his work outlining the various stages of human motivation. You see it here in this triangle he created. The foundation of his hierarchy is one’s physio-logical needs, the essentials to life. These were things like breathing, food, water, shelter, clothing and sleep. Next came Safety and Security. That was followed by Love and Belonging. Following that Self-Esteem. And finally at the pinnacle of the hierarchy Maslow put Self-Actualization defined by morality, creativity, spontaneity, acceptance, experience, purpose, meaning and inner potential.[1] (That’s the purple triangle on top of the pyramid).

I sense that the Pharisee in Luke’s gospel Phyllis shared with us, felt he was there, fully self-actualized. He saw himself as a person with high integrity and good morals. He felt confident in his purpose, enlightening others in religious doctrine. And he was spontaneous, being generous with his wealth. I expect he was confident he was admired by others. His acceptance level would have been quite high. He was respected in society. 

In contrast, the tax-collector comes into this story with significant doubts. He is well enough off, but he reflects on his wealth realizing it has come on the backs of others, and often through unscrupulous methods. Adding to his dislike, constant contact with the hated Romans. Prior to his reflection and confession, the tax collector may have indeed thought highly of himself. After all he was successful. He may have even felt close to the top of Maslow’s pyramid, fully confident in his ability, and self-reliant. But some important aspects are missing in his life, acceptance by others, a lacking morality and a realization that his inner potential has been squandered. He is humbled before God, and prays for forgiveness. 

Now I am in no way remotely, enough of an authority on human psychological behaviour to question Abraham Maslow, but in our context today, I feel as if something is missing in his paradigm. Shouldn’t the self-actualization piece, the place when we are fully alive and aware of self, contain some comment on humility? The pharisee may have a feeling he was on top of the world, but if he is truly to live to his full potential, he needs to understand how to be humble. His arrogance is his demise. It seems like Jesus agrees. “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” Perhaps roughly translated, “Get off your high horse telling us how good you are, because God is not impressed with your bravado, your self-righteousness. All are equal in the Creator’s eyes.”

Most of us are not impressed with that kind of boasting either. As if to say look at me, look how special I am, we hear, “I’m the chair of the ways and means committee. I was on the board when we made that very difficult decision to terminate the CEO. I was president of the Kiwanis Club when we built that water park for the kids downtown. Oh yes, I know Joe, we go way back. I knew him when he was a new alderman.” Enough you are thinking. “How do I escape?” A lack of some humility is a bit of a turn off. 

Today our Church Calendar marks “World Peace Sunday.” As we all hope and pray for lasting peace in Gaza and a laying down of arms in the Ukraine, I can’t help but wonder what part a little humility could play in World Peace. And you know, it wouldn’t take a lot. 

A number of our international leaders likely believe they are on the top of Maslow’s hierarchy, fully convinced that they have fulfilled their inner potential. Confident, feeling they have achieved their purpose, even feeling admired, they are content. But a lack of humility breeds arrogance, something we can all do without. Arrogance is the root of much malaise, especially when in the hands of those with power. 

Joel’s prophesy shares the news of barns full of wheat and vats full of wine and oil after an apocalyptic time. God has intervened and dispelled the hoards of locusts. Rain has returned to refresh the parched earth. The creator has returned as promised to restore the nation. 

The empty barns of the world could be filled with much more than wheat if a modicum of humility was expressed by those with influence. Every empty vat would easily overflow if generosity was practiced and some empathy was genuinely shared. The apocalyptic times we are experiencing could all be laid to rest if Jesus’ message could be heard – treat others as you would like to be treated. 

We continue to hold onto that hope and pray it one day will be so. Mr. T, you are actually not on the top, the pinnacle of righteousness. Show some kindness and generosity, open your heart and perhaps one day you might approach it. Mr. P, you’re not close to being a bright shining star. You are fooling yourself like the Pharisee did. Humble yourself and pray for forgiveness. Mr. Netanyaha, would you please read the account of the Pharisee and the Tax collector. 

While we pray and wait, something for us all to remember.

The “Self-Actualization” stage of our being that Abraham Maslow describes is a desirable place to be. It is one of self-acceptance, self-confidence and inner peace. It is a place where we can rest assured we are satisfied with our “being” in the world, the what and who we are. 

Earlier I suggested we might add something to Maslow’s work, that of humility. I would like to make one more suggestion, we add Faith too. 

I don’t think it is important how we individually define faith. The critical thing is that we live knowing that we believe and trust in the power of divine love. That is the kind of love that fills us up and keeps us afloat in doubt and fear. It is the source of light that penetrates our grief with hope, the voice that speaks quiet assurances. When we live like that we reach our full potential and in our humble service are able to fill vacant barns and empty vats for others with soul food, the sustaining nourishment of the Holy Presence. Thanks for listening this morning, Amen 

[1] self-actualization - Search Images, accessed October 25, 2025     

 Inspired by Philippians 4:4-9 and John 6:25-35

Sometimes the inspiration for reflection comes from the most unlikely places. That happened earlier this week as I was preparing for our first United Church 101 meeting on Wednesday afternoon. 

I thought I was organized, notes were in hand, and my power-point was ready. I moved some tables around in the hall to project my presentation on the wall so everyone could see. The computer was connected to the projector, everything turned on, but to my chagrin, no image was projected. Odd I thought because there was light coming out of the projector lens. What the heck was wrong? 

I ran a video and could hear sound coming from the projector, so I knew it was working. I examined the instructions and clicked a few buttons. Nothing. I rebooted the computer, still nothing. I tried using the function keys on the computer keyboard (they provide a myriad of functions), still nothing. It was maddening. I had wasted the better part of an hour. Well I thought, I will just have to use my computer and everyone will have to gather close to look at it.

Exasperated, I took Duffy for a short walk. When I returned, I thought, I wonder if Kade would have any idea what I might be doing wrong? I called him and he was just back in town. He offered to come by which of course I graciously accepted. A few minutes later we are both examining the projector. Sound, yes. Light from the lens yes. But the light was very dim and not shining on the wall. What in tarnation was going on?

And then the penny dropped. The Lens Cap was still on! Yes, it was light plastic and translucent. And it was pushed in with a bayonet type mount. I pulled it off and, voila, Huston we have liftoff! A bright image was now on the wall. I had 10 min to spare before we were to start. But it took me 20 to relax.

How often is life like that? How often do we wander about with our eyes clouded like we have blinders on? How often do we not see the forest for the trees as the saying goes? 

Paul in his message to the people at Philippi and John in his gospel account speak about that. At least, I hear them posing a similar question. Why are you walking around like you have blinders covering your eyes? God, light, love and holy presence is around you all the time. The gifts of the spirit are in plain view. 

Don’t be anxious says Paul, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” “As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Do the things I have done. Tell the stories of Jesus. Spread the good news of the healing power of forgiveness. Tell your friends how good it feels to be accepted for who you are. Experience what it feels like to be loved unconditionally. Take off your blinders like I did when I finally realized what a fool I had been, before I accepted Jesus in my heart. 

John speaks about the bread from heaven, the bread that gives life to the world. It is not a physical bread like that Moses prayed for and received, it is not the unleavened loaf to be broken and shared among friends, it is bread which gives life to the world. It is not material, like things we chase or are distracted by. It is a spiritual bread which binds together the broken-hearted, lifts the depressed out of their despair, brings forth modest hope to the lost or abandoned. 

If you are looking for something material, you have blinders on. The answers are not found by aggression, or oppression. The resolutions to conflict are not at the end of a smoking gun. Those things bring only more pain and suffering. 

The answers we seek to healing are found in love. Paul experienced that and tried to get his followers to see that vision. Jesus was love walking the earth. Love wanting to burst forth in the world in ways it had not before. He knew it was in each person but often masked by ego, often buried under the rubble of societal pressures and expectations, often overwhelmed by circumstance. 

Open your eyes, Jesus says, and see the beauty of a world filled with kindness and generosity. Do as I have been doing says Paul, spread Jesus’ message to your friend and neighbour. Let justice and peace flow down like a river.

The blinders we often wear can prevent us from being the kind of disciples we want to be. What I think is most tragic about that, is that it can stem from a lack of believe in our own value, when we don’t believe in our own gifts. When we don’t understand how special we all are. 

How can we treat others lovingly if we don’t love ourselves. It is like we are the projector I spoke about earlier. The light is on but there is something occluding the lens and it can’t get out. The beauty, vibrancy, and grace within us all is sometimes unintentionally shadowed by our perceptions. They can sometimes prevent our love life-light from getting out.

Last week I was away in Naramata to begin a 2-year program called “SoulGuiding.” The first phase of this program is called “The Inner Way” with the specific focus of “bowing to one’s inner work.” The “Inner-Work” is getting to know oneself intimately. 

Now that might seem to be fairly simple. You all know who you are don’t you? Well perhaps not as well as you think. Because most of us are a little self-critical. (Some of us are really self-critical). There is a little voice inside us which causes us to wonder and question. And our inner responses can be less than affirming. “I really am not very smart. I could never do that. I’m fat and unattractive. I think I could be a better partner, husband, wife, sister, brother. I’m not very handy. I don’t think people like me very much. I’m not a good provider. I’m old and useless. And perhaps the worst, I’m a failure.” 

The negative self-talk can hover over us like a dark cloud. When that happens two things occur. Your own inner love-light is diminished, and you are unable to be light and love for others. 

So while I haven’t read this or learned this from the SoulGuiding program directly, it seems to me that we need to feed ourselves, our inner being with “I Am” statements. And we need to repeat them frequently. 

How about trying, “I am a bright and shining star. I am clever. I am a fun person to be around. I am compassionate and caring. I love a good laugh. I am clever and accomplished. I am a good partner. I am a good organizer. Perhaps you could say, yes, I am wrinkly, but I am still beautiful. How about I am a good listener, and I am a good provider.”

This kind of soul food strips off those blinders that keep us from enjoying the world and from loving ourselves. That is so important because when we love ourselves, we are much more able to know the peace of God in our hearts, and from there we can spread it to a needy world. Thanks for listening this morning, Amen      

   Inspired by  Matthew 18: 1-11

The TRC of Canada began its work June 1, 2008. Its “mandate was to inform all Canadians about what happened in residential schools. The TRC documented the truth of Survivors, their families, communities and anyone personally affected by the residential school experience. This included First Nations, Inuit and Métis, former residential school students, their families, communities, the churches, former school employees, government officials and other Canadians.”[1] The commission concluded it’s work in 2015 with a lengthy comprehensive report and 94 “Calls to Action.” 

Ten years have passed and we might wonder what has been accomplished across this country. When we light our Indigenous Candle each Sunday morning and do our land acknowledgement, what does that mean to you personally? 

This United Church of ours has been very active in supporting indigenous reconciliation efforts in what I would call outreach ministries – monetary support for land claims and in recent years support for identification of unmarked graves, from children buried at residential schools. Continued support is offered for healing initiatives for survivors of the residential school system, and its intergenerational impacts through the Mission and Service Healing Fund. And some of you will know we have a very active UC Native Ministry, which at present is developing their own unique Indigenous Church. We are grateful for the relationships we continue to foster and enhance with our First Peoples. 

Of course, there is a long way to go as we have been told by wise indigenous leaders. Reconciliation is a process not a singular event, is a journey. The impact of our imperialist history runs deep, and it will take generations to undo past harms and misunderstandings. 

There are many systems we have created that today just do not serve indigenous people well. Despite indigenous children making up only 7.7% of the overall child population, 53.8% of the children in foster care are indigenous.[2] In 2020/2021, Indigenous people in Canada were incarcerated at a much higher rate than non-Indigenous people. On an average day that year there were 42.6 Indigenous people in provincial custody per 10,000 population, compared to 4.0 non-Indigenous people.[3]

Many of us struggle with the question, what can I do individually in justice seeking healing and reconciliation with our indigenous brothers and sisters?

Phyllis Webstad was six years old when she went to residential school at St. Joseph’s Residential School Mission in Lytton. It was 1973. Phyllis describes her first day, 

Like many kids around the world, she was excited to go to school, and her grandmother bought her something new to wear for her first day.

“My grandmother probably couldn’t afford it, but she always bought a new set of clothes for all kids going to the Mission, and I was no exception,” Phyllis explains. “It was really exciting. I picked out an orange shirt, and it was really shiny and it just sparkled.”

When she arrived, however, she was stripped of her clothes and her orange shirt was taken away, never to be worn again.

Since that day, the colour orange had always symbolized to Phyllis that she didn’t matter. “Orange has always been to me… not mattering to anyone,” she says. “Nobody cared that we had feelings. So, to me, that’s what orange meant.”[4]

After telling her story publicly the first “Orange Shirt Day” was acknowledged on September 30, 2013, across Canada. This was not an event to celebrate and party, it was, and still is, an event reminding us of past wrongdoings and sufferings and, hopefully keeps us mindful of not repeating the same mistakes again. In a way it seems to me somewhat like Remembrance Day, a time to be quiet, pray, perhaps ask for forgiveness and commit to a loving, compassionate and justice seeking relationship with our indigenous friends and neighbours. 

We remember all those beautiful and innocent children today. The atrocities committed were unconscionable. How did Christian Churches who believe in the gospels lose their way?

2-5 For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me.

Jesus adored children. How is it that those that believe in him could get it so wrong? When we revisit the residential school stories or others that are similar, we are drawn to anger and tears. On the global stage the horror of child labour, child pornography, children as soldiers and children as innocent victims of war, crush our spirits. I have a tendency to become discouraged. I expect you all do. Jesus asked that we look after the little ones, and that has not always happened. 

Part way through my preparing for worship today, and to the chagrin of both Valerie and Louise, I changed the scripture reference. Not entirely, but I switched from the NRSV as updated to the Message edition. That was mostly because of the author’s use of the word “childlike,” and the suggestion that the disciples behave more like children. In fact, the message version concludes with, 10 “Watch that you don’t treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don’t you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven?”

Don’t treat a single one of these childlike believers wrongly. Don’t accuse them, don’t berate them, don’t abuse them, don’t take advantage of them.

Children and those that are childlike, have a propensity to look at life through a different lens. Everyone is the same. Children play and “hang out” together. They are natural consolers, wanting to help their friends in trouble. They are justice minded, sharing their recess snacks or lunch at school with someone who doesn’t have any. They don’t make any judgements about what someone else is wearing or how they look. They don’t care about skin colour. A hat and a turban probably look the same. They get mad when someone is bullied or shamed. 

We are recognizing Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day today (actually it is Sept 30). We are recognizing it primarily because of the harm that Canada’s Indigenous People’s, especially their children have faced. And in recognizing this day on the calendar, like we would Remembrance Day, we are committing to actively pursuing better understanding of culture, tradition and history, so that we might foster better relationships. This is not a one-day commitment but generational one.

Not to be lost in all this however is the reminder to a more fundamental truth.

If we believe in Jesus, we model childlike behaviour. We come to Jesus as a child; he gathers us in his arms and blesses us. In turn we go out into the world with the kind of unshakable love he possessed. We love passionately without exception. We don’t play favourites, we don’t distinguish between coloured, white, Jew, Muslim, Christian, rich or poor. All are the same to us. All are equally children of God the Creator. 

If you chose to wear a orange ribbon today, wear it knowing you recognize the wrongs or the residential school system in Canada, and the need for improved relationships with our Indigenous Peoples. But wear it also as a reminder that we are called to be Jesus’ childlike disciples, loving, caring, compassionate, and hopeful in a world that needs us. Thanks for listening this morning. Amen

[1]Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada - NCTR, accessed September 27, 2025

[2] More than half the children in care are Indigenous, census data suggests | CBC News, accessed September 27, 2025

[3] Over-representation of Indigenous persons in adult provincial custody, 2019/2020 and 2020/2021, accessed September 27, 2025

[4] Every Child Matters: Phyllis Webstad's Story Behind Orange Shirt Day, accessed September 27, 2025

   Inspired by 1 Timothy 2:1-7 (The Message Bible)

I chose The Message interpretation for this morning’s scripture that Janet read, because of its simplified language. The Message often offers a more contemporary explanation for our present- day context. In particular today, I appreciated the second verse, “Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well, so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation.” The NSRV Updated Version which we normally read from says, “2 for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.” Yesterday’s Kings (in all but a few instances), are today’s Presidents, Governors, Prime Minister’s and the like. 

In either case, the author of this scripture (perhaps Paul but uncertain), advises us to pray for leaders to make decisions so that we may live peacefully. 

Immediately I thought, Amen to that. Here is a scripture that succinctly puts into context what we want most; for our world leaders to get off their ego trips, their obsession for power, their quest for personal wealth, their mania in the pursuit of fundamentalist religious doctrine. I quite often include these hopes in our community prayers. God, would you please help us convince the powerbrokers of our time that in your world, we are one people, one community, one family of origin. These are important prayers, for as it has been for centuries, the human quest for peaceful living, kingdom living as Jesus called it, continues to be thwarted.

Thus, I had planned to focus my reflection today on the evil that permeates our societies and how that is anti-Christian and in fact anti-God in any interpretation of scripture, any understanding of what it is to be held in Holy Love. 

However, moving through this short but poignant scripture another theme is revealed.

“7 He (God) wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned: that there’s one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus”

The turmoil in the early Christian Church in Ephesus over doctrine caused fractions. The author hopes to bring everyone back to the cornerstone of their faith, to re-unite them– there was one God and one Jesus. God’s love was universal, and Jesus’ teachings were grounded in that premise. 

We try as best we can to follow that same doctrine today. We know one truly ubiquitous source of love in the creator, and we live a life that emulates that of Christ. In that we pray often and earnestly. We offer prayers for the hungry and unhoused. Prayers for the abused and forgotten. Prayers for those in war torn regions and we pray for peace. We pray for the unfortunate who have experienced natural disasters. We pray for those we know who have been devasted by grief. But the scripture asks if we pray for everyone? And I’m not sure I always do that.

Reflecting on this passage from Timothy, William Matthews says, “In a world of mean-spirited, us-them, simplistic right-wrong thinking, our flock needs reminding that “everyone” for whom we pray is worthy of God’s help and blessing and, likewise, our prayers for them are decidedly worth our breath.”[1]

We need to pray for everyone in the hope that even those we might call badly misguided might be “set free,” that they might come to know God. 

I wondered if anyone prays for Kim John-un, the N Korean dictator and his quest for regional domination by nuclear armament? We pray for Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his country, but do we pray for Mr. Putin? I doubt many of you are praying for President Trump or Benjamin Netanyahu. We pray for peace and healing, and we pray for the victims of violence and war. But do we pray for the instigators, those responsible? Typically, we abhor them. 

We pray they make decisions to honour and protect people rather than to oppress and abuse them. We pray for regime change; we even pray for victory of one force over another in the hope that peace may come. But this scripture says don’t forget we need to pray for everyone. That means those we dislike, those than incense us, those we wish might fall from grace. This feels unrealistic and unfathomable. It seems to me an exceedingly difficult task. 

Yesterday I caught a glimpse of President Trump’s visit to the UK, and I said to Lenore, “I’m sure glad I am not a world leader because I could not stand to look that man in the face let alone shake his hand.” I just don’t think I could do that. That would be like shaking hands with evil itself. I couldn’t stand to be in the same room with him. Pray for him? You have to be joking! God what are you asking of me? To pray for those who are instruments of harm seems so countercultural. And it feels if anything contrary to my faith. 

But the author of 1 Timothy says, God wants not only us, but everyone saved, God wants everyone to know the truth we’ve learned. And if we do that, the truth will eventually get out. What truth is that?

A couple of days ago a ministry friend of mine and I were chatting about this theme. I was expressing my difficulty in the universal call that is asked of us, pray for everyone, that all may know the joy offered by the new kin-dom. And I asked her what was that truth that was eventually going to get out?

Sometime after our talk she replied saying, as we look to Jesus, God’s voice of peace, hope justice and love in our world, “It's not about believing in him, It is about believing him.” I had to read that over several times before I really understood what she was getting at.

My personal belief in Jesus the person, Jesus who walked the earth, the Jesus who taught of God’s universal love, is not as important as what he taught. We wouldn’t know Jesus today if we met him on the street or he knocked on our door. But we know what he said. Believe the message; that there is room for all, that all God’s children have equal status, that we need reconciliation not retribution for errors made, that coercion and oppression are not a part of the kin-dom. We believe in the truth of Jesus’ message, the fundamental tenet that we are to love one another as Jesus loved all those he met, ate with, and worshipped with. He would find love too for his accusers and his betrayers. “Forgive them Father for they do not know what they are doing,” were his last words before he died. (Luke 23:34) 

In believing him, believing Jesus, we also believe in the power of prayer. Prayer can affect change. Prayer can hold up the grief stricken. Prayer can envelope the hopeless and desperate in a cocoon of light and warmth. And if we believe Jesus, we must believe also that prayer can even affect change in the minds and souls of those who are cruel, are driven by greed and ego, who manipulate through corruption and brutality, who believe themselves to be superior. 

Is that a very naïve dream? Are we foolish to think that our speaking of a universal God of Love can be heard by everyone? Is it irrational to believe as Jesus did, that every heart was capable of holding that love?

We have to believe that eventually the news will get out. We can’t lose that hope. And so, we will continue to pray for it, and also that we may be a part of that reality through the lives we live, and the prayers we offer to all that might receive them. Thanks for listening this morning, Amen

[1] Homiletical, p 1

   Inspired by  Luke 15:1-10

It’s getting close to curling season again. Just a few more weeks. I can’t wait! 

I curl in Summerland, and our club is doing some promotions to try and increase our membership. Yesterday, at the Summerland Fall Fair we had a booth set up and some curling displays. I helped out with the first shift from 9-11. We didn’t have a lot of inquiries but some, mostly younger folks, visited, which is fantastic.

While standing by the booth with my coffee and fresh apple fritter, I gazed over to the drum circle which was quite close to our booth. A drum group was working the crowd with their rhythms, sometimes staccato and at other times smooth and perfectly coordinated. They invited passers-by to join them, and the air was filled with a beat, that had many of us dancing on the spot. (If you can call jogging in place and swaying in place dancing).

I wondered as I was watching, where the sinners were. Because there are sinners in every crowd. In every gathering, in every community, in every town, perhaps even in every church congregation there are sinners. Now these are not folks that fit my Reader’s Digest definition of sinner; “One who has committed a transgression, especially when deliberate of a law having divine authority. One who has transgressed against religious laws or moral principles.” No, I don’t mean that kind of sinner. I’m referring to the kind of sinner that Luke refers to in his gospel account. Sinners in Jesus time were a rather broad category of whom we might say were undesirables.

That category has shifted over time. Still called sinners in some circles, today they would encompass street people, the unhoused, gay and lesbian individuals, those considered to be of inferior race, illegal immigrants (and many legal immigrants too), prostitutes (both men and women), many of the poor and desperate, addicts, refugees, foreigners and others. It is alarming that in these times of such enlightenment, if indeed we can call it that, so much ignorance abounds. Its alarming and incredibly disappointing. 

And yet, it seems as if there is less tolerance for recognizing and celebrating our differences, and more propensity for criticism, ridicule, exclusion and even persecution of “the other.” It comes from folks that don’t agree with our politics. Individuals who don’t like the way we talk about God, or the way we speak about the meaning of scripture. Someone who has bias towards our family of origin or our marital status. Someone really stuck on their right to entitlement.

In Jesus’ mind and in God’s kin-dom there are none that are to be cast aside. All are to be welcomed as universal children. There are no exceptions. We express this in our very own Mission Statement: “Our mission is a call to inclusive, loving and compassionate discipleship.” 

Jesus acted out his mission through teaching. Healing came about through his pastoral presence. Those that listened to him, those labelled sinners of the time, found in him a passion for the human condition they had never experienced before. He welcomed them into his circle. He sat with them, ate with them, prayed with them. The marginalized, the lower-class citizens, women. He ate with them all, not just those like the Pharisees with high social standing. And we know he spoke with and healed the blind, lepers, the prostitute and others. All considered sinners.

Jesus gave them renewed purpose and a sense of belonging. He made his newly gathered community feel accepted, honoured and above all, loved. That had never happened before. 

It is no surprise whatsoever then, that those that came to know Jesus came also into his fold, changed their outlook, were converted to Jesus’ new way. In biblical terms they “repented,” striking a new path, joining a new kin-dom of believers. Repent not as an expression of remorse for past behavior or to seek forgiveness but repenting through transformation. 

The two parables we heard from Luke this morning celebrate the life-giving grace offered to someone who is lost and then found. Someone, on the outside looking in. Someone perhaps down on their luck, someone ostracized or shunned. Someone who needs to be loved. Someone at the Summerland Fall Fair, someone in this community or perhaps someone in this COF.

No sheep herder in his right mind would leave his flock of 99 sheep to find one who has been lost. It would be safer, more prudent, to look after the remaining 99 than risk catastrophe leaving them behind and wondering off by himself. One in one hundred is a small loss to bear. Better to leave well enough alone.

But in this parable the lost sheep represents one of the lonely, lost and disheartened, a sinner (an outsider) who needs to be brought into a community of love and support. A soul worthy of saving.

A woman is distraught because she has lost a valuable coin, a coin with which she could probably purchase a sheep. She searches high and low for the coin and when she finds it, she throws a party inviting her friends and neighbours. Clearly the monetary value of the lost coin is not the important part of the parable. 

Perhaps we are meant to see this as the re-acquainting of an estranged son or daughter who has now returned, someone who was lost and now is found. Someone who has come back into the fold. Perhaps the woman needed to find herself again, and did so, bringing herself back from an abyss of despondency, from the perils of self-destructive behavior. “Just so, I tell you,” she says, “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Thinking back to yesterday and Summerland, what I wonder could be a productive way to inform the crowd of this incredible parable. What great news I could share. 

There was a stage nearby and I suppose I could have gone over and pinched the mic and started. “Hi everyone, my name is Ian, and I have a story for you. There was a woman who had 10 coins. She lost one and……………………….” I imagine clearing out the crowd fairly quickly or answering to the local RCMP for my actions. Certainly, my buds at the curling booth would have scattered immediately.

Perhaps back here in Peachland I could plug in my headset and stand outside the sanctuary door when the bargain bin is open. They have lots of customers during the week. “Hi friends, I’m Ian, the minister here. I would like to tell you a story. There was a herdsman who had 100 sheep and unfortunately, he lost one. So, he left 99 or them and struck out to find the lost one…………...” I know what would happen. The Bargain Bin sales would plummet, and the board would ask me to retire earlier than I have planned. 

God how do I, how do we minister to those on the margins of society, those that feel like outcasts, those that have been made to feel inferior, those that have been told they are not welcome, those that are told they should go back to their own country? How do we support same sex couples and transgender folks? What is the best way to support the street person who wanders around our building or the alcoholic who we find passed out in the parking lot? How do we care for all who have been called sinners?

We live our Mission Statement. “Our mission is a call to inclusive, loving and compassionate discipleship.” 

We love our neighbour as our self. We stop short of passing judgement. We practice good listening. We honour our differences. We focus on being patient, kind and pastoral. We follow Jesus, eating with the tax collectors, seeking out the lost sheep, sharing our resources and loving one another fearlessly. I suppose we could sum up by saying we practice what we preach. Thanks for listening this morning, Amen

   Inspired by Psalm 139 and John 3:8

One never knows when a good read will inspire you. And I have had a few of them courtesy of Chris and his extensive library. Most recently he lent me Alexander Kent’s “Sloop of War.” It is a very engaging page turner published back in 1974, depicting the British at war with America and the French from 1778 through 1781. It has all the thrills of a great adventure story. Cunning strategies of experienced captains, battles at sea, incredible bravery, tragedy, determination, and of course treachery and betrayal. 

It is difficult to appreciate the life of a seaman in those times. Their duties were grueling and exhausting. One could perish falling from the rigging just as easily as from cannon ball fire or a round from a musket. Stale water, mealy bread, rancid pork. Pestilence and disease. It wasn’t a time for the weak or the faint of heart. 

And the constant threats from weather would unnerve most anyone. Gail force winds could drive a ship ashore or onto a nearby reef, rip the sails apart or break the masts like matchsticks. A helpless ship could be swamped in minutes with the loss of all hands. No wind at all was bad news as well. A ship could drift for miles and miles and with no steerage, be ground to a pulp on a rocky shore. 

I suppose my ancestors could have been sailors, but I’m not cut from that cloth. That would not be the life for me. 

With the thoughts of the recent passing of our son-in-law, it occurred to me how similar our lives are to that of a 16th Century sailor. Life is unpredictable. Anything can happen at any time. We can be cast upon the rocks of tragedy without warning. The bitter reality of losing a loved one is on the top of that list. 

Times of feeling lost or abandoned in open sea on a sailboat with no wind is something many people experience. Even if you had oars to attempt to move you forward, you soon fall exhausted and unable to continue. Those with depressive illnesses, the chronically ill, the disheartened and the grieving know that place. 

And we have all experienced violent storms in our living. Sometimes we have had to hang on by our fingernails through chaos and crisis. We have been blown about mercilessly and when we have finally emerged, we are battered, bruised and spent. 

Loss, illness, discouragement, worry and fear can cast us into hopelessness, and take the wind from our sails. And it can be very difficult, if not sometimes impossible, to catch it again.

Yes, as John says, “8 The wind[e] blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.” Sometimes it might take us to a safe harbour. Other times to the depths of despair. 

Everyone who has lived through a tragic event understands that there is no panacea, no silver bullet, no life-giving antidote that provides a remedy for our ailments. That is wishful thinking at best.

So how do we fill our sails again? How God do we get the ship righted and sailing on a course to hope? Tell us God what to do and we will follow.

Time and again I find it fascinating that scripture can open my eyes and provide me with prophetic visions. The Psalm Marsha read this morning is one of those scriptures. In many ways it could have been written yesterday rather than some time in the 10thCentury BCE. Wisdom jumps off the pages. 

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and night wraps itself around me,”[a] 12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.

Night is as bright as day to you; darkness is as light to you. Do you mean that even in my times of loss, my hopelessness, my uncertainty and grief you are their God? Are you prophesizing that today, as in the time of King David so long ago, there is the possibility that our torn sails and broken masts might be repaired, and our ships set again on a course towards our renewal? Is it possible that your reassuring breath may fill our lives once more, relieve our pain and bring us to a hopeful place, a safe harbour?

This Psalm was apparently written by King David himself in some of his times of crisis. These are not just a poet’s inquires on a page, they are words of experience, words through human eyes, words from someone who needed to hold onto hope. Words from someone who lived in troubled times. For me King David’s offering sings out to me, 

7 Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.

Where can I go when I am in doubt, when I am fretful and anxious? God your hands trustingly reach out to me then. I sense a nurturing presence, a trusting peace.

Where can I go when I am shaken, unsure, unnerved by some circumstance? Holy One you offer shelter from the storm, a liminal space where I can rest.

Where can I go when I am stricken by grief, unsure what to do, unable to cope? I can go where Holy Love resides. A place where you will dry my tears and in time, put your living breath back into my sails. 

I can go there anytime. When I close my eyes and consider the vastness of your ubiquitous love, I am comforted, for you are always there waiting. 

Thanks for listening this morning. Amen 

Inspired by Luke 6: 37-42 & Luke 7: 36-50

Have you ever been part of a group where you had a sense that your acceptance was tentative at best? In some ways, my memories of school are like that. We moved over 20 times during those years, so I was always the new kid, the strange one, the outcast. Being shy, made it difficult for me to make friends.

Most of us tend to “label” people, to judge them just by their appearance. According to Mr. Google – To judge someone means to form an opinion or evaluation about them, usually based on their actions, words, appearance, or other aspects. Judging someone can be positive or negative, depending on whether the judgment is fair, accurate, and constructive or if it is biased, inaccurate, and harmful. Judging someone can also affect how we treat them and how we feel about them.

HOW DOES THIS WORK

After a while being in proximity with someone, we often know who they are. The good and the bad. At least what we like and don’t like as much. For those of us who have an unknown spirit within us to label people, our default is often to put people into a box.

Why do we label others? Is it because we fear the unknown? Do we feel insecure? Do we compare ourselves to them? Do we need to feel superior? Are we influenced by our culture and biases?

Whether consciously or not, we judge others all the time. It’s human nature to size up people and situations, but is it harmful? Probably, because judging someone affects how we treat them, how we feel about them, and how we perceive ourselves in relation to them. Therefore, judging someone is not a trivial matter but a complex and nuanced process that requires careful consideration and empathy.

At one of our Affirming Circle meetings, Marsha mentioned that as soon as we put a label on someone, we see them differently. We no longer can see them as they were before. Yet, they are still the same person, the same human being. 

Essentially, when we label someone, we put a ceiling over the person’s growth and potential when we box them in. We mark a line in the sand and say: “We can never cross it because of who I know you to be.” 

Who are we to place them in a box? In reality, we know very little about them or how God is working in their lives. By labelling them, are we also putting ourselves in a box? I think so because we are limiting our possibilities of new friendships.

People change. We all do; we are constantly changing. So let’s not box people in. Let’s grow together.

YES, PEOPLE CHANGE

Are we not more mature, more experienced about life’s challenges now than when we were teenagers (now that’s a long time ago), or even just a year ago? We’ve made mistakes, we all do! We need to be careful that we don’t judge someone with a benchmark that we would not want our own lives to be judged by. David always said, “When you point the figure you have three fingers coming back at you.”

Does God only choses winners, already successful people? Well polished people, mature people? If we look closely at Jesus’ lineage, it seems that it came through the lives of messed up people. Look at the disciples. Did he choose religious leaders or high-status citizens? No, He chose common, uneducated, rough-around-the-edges people.

Do we really think God only works in people like us? Remember Larry King? He was a great TV and radio host known for his straight to the point interviewing technique. He hosted 'Larry King Live' for 25 years. We trusted him. Right! But, if I told you that when he was 38 years old, he was arrested in Miami for grand larceny. Would you still see him the same way? Would his label be the same? Would he remain in the same box you had him in? Maybe, your trust level just went down a notch or two. But why? He made a mistake; he learnt from it and changed – changed for the better.

BY BOXING SOMEONE IN ARE WE REJECTON GOD?

God can change people. When we put people in a box and never allow them to grow, to change, are we telling God who he can work on or through? 

We know what both acceptance and rejection feel like, don’t we? Acceptance feels FANTASTIC. I wanted to overcome my shyness and fear of public speaking, so I joined the Christopher Leadership Course in 1995. Christopher Leadership is a program that provides a unique opportunity to develop your leadership style and abilities. It teaches and explores these concepts through the framework of the Gospel message. I passed Level 1 and 2 and, along the way, I learnt not only speaking skills, but I discovered hidden talents. It also helped me increase my confidence and enthusiasm. I will always remember the joy and pride I felt when I was asked to join the team of instructors. 

You see, you can only be invited to become an instructor if all four of your instructors agree unanimously that you could make a difference and be part of the team. What a great feeling and privilege. I thought classes for two seasons as part of the team then I was invited to be the Team Leader for the next session.

But what about rejection? Anybody remember what it feels like to be rejected? Rejection feels HORRIBLE. Rejection feels most unwelcome. Were you ever the last one to be chosen to join the team? Remember that letter after an application to university, or to a position that you really wanted that said, “We regret to inform you …” We didn’t need to read the rest. We knew. I got one of those letters after applying to become a flight attendant with Air Canada in my early 20s. It was like being rejected twice because it was so generic, no explanation on the why! It would have been helpful to know so I could improve, grow, and possibly re-apply.

JESUS DIDN’T BOX PEOPLE IN

In today’s reading, Jesus did not reject the woman that had been boxed in by the Pharisees. On the contrary he accepted her for who she was – not what she had been “labelled” to be. 

The moment we understand that God sees us exactly the way we are, and says, "I am satisfied with you. You are accepted by me," then we have no right to say anything less about ourselves or anyone else. That means that we can accept that although we are one-of-a-kind, we are also all part of a bigger family called “Humanity”. 

Lily Ebert, a Holocaust survivor, in her book Lily’s Promise, says: “It’s so important to tell the world what can happen when we are not tolerant of each other. That is the main thing to understand. When somebody is different from you, it doesn’t mean they are worse or better. They are only different. If we can understand that, then we can live in peace with one another.”

If we can accept the fact that you, like me, are not perfect, that God has us under construction; then, we can understand that we all need acceptance and unconditional love, rather than rejection and being labeled and boxed in.

I’d like to share a 4-minute video with you that really spoke to me. It showed me that we all have the same worries, the same fears, wrongdoings, the same joys and hopes. I hope it speaks to you too. Play VIDEO 

This video also tells me that God wants us to know that He loves us and accepts us all just the way we are – flaws and all. We don’t have to do anything to earn His love except love each other as He loves us. That leads us to the main point of the message today: Let’s not box people in – we are all unique, yet part of His big family called “Humanity”. Amen.