Caught! Falling from Grace

“He raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will’” (Acts 13:22 ESV).

I have a painting in my rec room. It's a painting of a lighthouse, and the painter specifically painted it for me – I described it from my mind, and he painted it. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always liked lighthouses and what they represent. Also, I’ve always loved the painter and what he has represented.

I was a Christian of three years when we met. We became close friends and started a small men’s group together. He was a leader in the church, a son of a preacher. Not surprisingly, I looked up to him, went to him for advice, and shared things with him that I wouldn’t with others. I remember one lunch I had with him where I told him he was “my David” (the psalmist) – a pillar in the community, a leader in the church, an example of what a father and husband should be. I called him “my David” as a form of the highest praise.

And then he fell from grace. I’ll share no details of that fall, for that is his story to tell, but I will say this: He did not get caught! He came forward and confessed to his family, his pastor, his church, and us – his closest friends. It was during another lunch that he confessed to me. I could see the pain in his face, hear it in his voice. The shame of hurting so many people. What was my response?

I looked him in the eyes and told him he’d been “my David.” I proceeded to tell him he was now more “David” in my eyes than he had ever been. You see, King David fell from grace multiple times, yet he was called by God: “A man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22). There before me was “David,” a man who had fallen but could be restored.

The community looked on from the outside to see what “the church” would do to this man, for this particular church body did not have a great reputation for restoring the fallen. I titled this post, “Caught! Falling from Grace.” But, he was not caught, he confessed. Who caught him? His church caught him. They caught his fall. 

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, ‘How can I help?’ (Rom. 15:1–2 MSG)

They loved him. They helped restore his family. They helped him heal. They restored him back into the church family. The community saw something they had, possibly, never seen before: a man fallen from grace, lifted up by his church family. He was also caught by his friends: we showed unconditional forgiveness, we helped to restore him from that fall. His family caught him: they did not dig him deeper into despair – they, too, showed incredible forgiveness.

And Jesus! Jesus caught him. Jesus extended His hand, as he did to the sinking Peter, and lifted him up! Of all the restoration that happened, none was more powerful to witness than the grace and forgiveness extended by the hand of Jesus, watching this man return to matchless grace. There is no greater lighthouse than the Christ who guides us away from troubled waters, yet unlike a lighthouse, if the troubled waters come crashing over us, He will come running to lift us out of despair.

There is no greater lighthouse than the Christ who guides us away from troubled waters, yet unlike a lighthouse, if the troubled waters come crashing over us, He will come running to lift us out of despair.

What do you do when someone you love deeply, someone you admire greatly, falls from grace? Are you going to push them further down, or will you lift them out? If they fall, go – and catch them!

“If they fall, it isn’t fatal, for the Lord holds them with his hand” (Ps. 37:24 TLB).

Answers on Wednesday – on Friday

“To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!” (Prov. 15:23 ESV).

How did you do?

Yesterday, Jesus asked five questions. I asked you to pick one or two – or more if you were in the mood to be challenged. Let’s answer those questions today: I’ll add the context in which Jesus asked them (and the Scripture reference).

Q1 - “If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?” (Matt. 5:46 TLB)

Jesus gives us the answer before he even asks it.  “There is a saying, ‘Love your friends and hate your enemies.’  But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven’” (v. 43–45).

Jesus makes it clear that we are to be different from others in this world – and that difference is to be noticeable to others, and especially to the Father (“acting as true sons of your father” [v . 45]).

Q2 - “Which is easier to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?” (Mark 2:9 NIV)

Jesus is answering a question the religious leaders were thinking about. “Jesus could read their minds” (Mark 2:8 TLB). It wasn’t often that Jesus gave a “sign” when requested, but the sign He gave was for us all. Jesus gave proof that He was the Son of God.

Today, many people continually ask for clear signs of both God’s existence and proof that Jesus was/is God. He’s given more than enough proof for each individual to make up their mind.

Q3 - “Why were you searching for me?” (Luke 2:49 NIV)

Jesus’ parents lost Him and were no doubt anxious about His whereabouts. They went back to the city and found Him – which took about three days. They were obviously upset when they found Him, but His response was insightful. “Didn’t you realize that I would be here at the Temple, in my Father’s House?” (Luke 2:49 TLB). Jesus was about his father’s business: glorifying his name (John 12:28); carrying out His will (Luke 22:42); teaching the Father’s love (John 16:27); proclaiming the Father’s words (John 17:8); and revealing the Father’s character (John 1:14–18).

What a blessing that we don’t need to search for days in order to find Jesus. He is still about His Father’s business, knocking on our doors, asking to be let in.

Q4 - “What do you want?” (John 1:38 NIV)

He asked this of two of John’s disciples. What they wanted was to get to know Jesus more.

What would our answer be? Would it be peace on earth? (Sadly, because of our sin, this cannot be achieved until Christ’s return). Would it be the eradication of poverty? (But Jesus tells us we will always have the poor among us in Matthew 26, verse 11). Would our answer simply be, “I want to know Jesus more”?

Q5 - “What shall we eat?” (Matt 6:31 NIV)

This comes in a series of questions. What shall we eat, drink, or wear? Jesus tells us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (v. 33).

I’m thankful that when I ask, “What shall we eat?” I have multiple options. God takes care of me in a way that can only result in thankfulness.

Bonus question: Why doesn’t God provide enough food for all?

Answer: He does. There is enough food to feed the world 1.5 times over (sadly, 30–40% of all food is wasted). Read about it here.

Sadly, 30–40% of all food is wasted. Read about it here.

“If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight” (Isa. 58:10 MSG).

Trivia Tuesday! – Um, I mean – Thursday!

“Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you” (Deut. 32:7 ESV).

Last week, I decided to start a weekly Trivia-Tuesday session in my blog, with the answers coming on Answer Wednesday. This week, I completely forgot. Or, maybe God put it out of my mind? Did God intervene? Did He want me to write about something else on Tuesday? Was my Wednesday (answer day) cleared up so I could write about my wedding? Only God knows. Now I’m thinking of Trivia Tuesdays. And our Monday Social-Distancing Trivia score of 57%. – a far cry from our 65% the week before! We may have cleaned up in the baseball and math categories, but getting a score of zero on Disney did not help (I’m actually a bit proud of the fact we did not know any of the Disney answers. :) )   

Today (or any other day), there will be no Disney trivia here. Most likely no baseball, either. Yet I half wonder, was the psalmist talking about baseball when he declared,  “Praise him for the growing fields, for they display his greatness” (Psalm 96:12 TLB)? But, what I cannot promise is no math (maybe seventy times seven?).

Last week, the questions were directed towards Jesus. My plan is to alternate between questions asked of Him, and questions asked by Him. This week, we’ll have five questions asked by Jesus, with answers being revealed through God’s Word on “Answer Wednesday” (tomorrow, Friday). For today, do your best not to look up the answers. Pick one of these questions – maybe two or even more – and hear Jesus asking the question of you. What is your answer?

Q1 – “If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?”

Q2 – “Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven?’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?”

Q3 – “Why were you searching for me?”

Q4 – “What do you want?”

Q5 – “What shall we eat?”

These are some questions for you to meditate on. What are your answers? Listen before you answer. Read about mine tomorrow.

“If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame” (Prov. 18:13 ESV).

I Do

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy”

(Ps. 126:3 NIV).

We all have significant events in our lives. I would venture to say that every one of them involves someone else. A friend, a parent, a child, a spouse. For me, one of these life-changing events took place twenty-three years ago today. This event wasn’t just a moment in time, it was a matter that spanned a little over two years. Let me explain –

On April 21, 1997, Leona and I jumped on a plane and flew to Las Vegas. We hired a photographer, who doubled as a witness. A minister from the Second Spanish Baptist Church married us in a small chapel in the Imperial Palace Casino (no, he was not dressed like Elvis). A limousine took us to the city hall to register the papers. We had everything we needed to make our nuptials legal, but … there was something missing.

Family – we were missing family. My mom wanted us to have a wedding closer to home so she could attend, but … we could still have a “successful” marriage without family. 

Friends – we would have loved for our closest friends to be there with us, to witness this significant event, but … we could still have a “successful” marriage without friends.

Evening of Celebration – we would have enjoyed a celebration with those we loved, but … we could still have a “successful” marriage without the party.

What was missing? Not the what, but the who. We invited no one to our wedding, not even God. Although saying “I do” was significant, the “event” was not complete until a little over two years later – when we both said, “I do” to God.

Weddings are special. They mark a significant event, a moment in time. A time when two people pledge their heart to each other – sometimes with an invitation to God, but often not. Far more important than the wedding is the marriage. I speak from experience: marriage is different when God is invited to it. So many weddings invite God – yet leave Him out of the marriage. Marriage, I can attest is difficult. Less so when God is a part of it. 

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12 ESV).

This lockdown can no doubt add stressors to a marriage. Take a moment to look at your spouse and declare, “You are not my enemy.” The deceiver wants us to be enemies. Do not listen to him. Take another moment to re-invite God into your union. The sooner the better, and if possible, do it together.

Take a moment to look at your spouse and declare, “You are not my enemy.”

And … don’t stop praying together. If you haven’t started, there’s no better time than now. May God bless your marriages, protect them, and be invited to join in.

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Pet. 4:8 NIV).

Prepared in Advance

“Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers” (Philem. 1:7 MSG). 

A few weeks ago, when the mandate to “stay the blazes home” began, a gentleman in the community put a bag on our front door. In that bag were venison steaks, ground meat, and sausages. This small bag brought us joy. Last week, a neighbour cleaned out her barn full of sheep manure. She bagged it up and offered some to us. (Leona is an avid gardener.) These bags brought us joy. A couple of days ago, we were given a dozen eggs, fresh from the pen. This small carton also brought us joy. Two days ago, another lady put four cooked lobsters on our porch – more joy delivered in a bag!  

Joy! Where does it come from? As I reflected on these gifts, the joy (for me) was not in the gifts. The joy was in the thought – as we sit isolated in our home, people are thinking about us. At some point, someone either thought, Who would like to have this? and our family came to mind, or someone thought, What can I do for the Hunts? and they thought of something. It’s not about the items, it’s about the thoughts – and knowing this brings me joy.

“Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don’t have anything: This day is holy to God. Don’t feel bad. The joy of God is your strength!” (Neh. 8:10 MSG).

Some may think, I wish someone would do that for me. In all honesty, I haven't wished it, it just came – people are just thinking about me. Now I wonder about paying it forward. What can I do for someone else? This is the righteous mindset. So, let us not grumble & wonder, Why doesn't someone do that for me? But let us ask, What can I do for someone else? 

In our current state of mandated social distancing, is it OK to deliver these types of practical blessings to our neighbours? 

Let’s take our cue from our government. They’ve allowed drive-throughs to stay open. They’ve allowed fast-food deliveries to the homes – by strangers. And they’ve allowed curbside pick-up for non-essential items. How much more essential is a blessing delivered by a friend? I say it’s more essential than ever! Each blessing we received was done with no contact, in complete adherence to the social-distancing guidelines.

So, what can you do?

First, pray. Always pray. Ask God to put ideas into your mind and heart, and then make sure your good deeds are still within governmental guidelines. Here are some ideas: 

• Bake something and put it on someone’s step (call them to let them know it's there).

• Make a sign (Thinking of You), drive into their driveway, honk your horn, and show it to them.

• Draw a happy face on a balloon and tie it to a door. 

• Stand on the hood of your car and sing a song for a senior citizen who cannot get out. 

Be creative, but also abide by the law. Have fun with it, and you just might find it is more blessed to give than to receive!

What does it mean to be neighbourly? Let your imagination soar!

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10 NIV).

I Promise ...

“If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath” (Ps. 34:18 MSG).

April 19, 2020 News: The largest mass shooting in the history of this great country (currently 17, plus an RCMP officer).*

As this news came out, it felt like a kick in the gut. If this were going to happen, it would happen in Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver. Right? No way could this happen in our quiet little province of Nova Scotia. My gut hurt! So many emotions .…

First, it was one of disbelief and confusion – as the death toll continued to rise. This cannot be happening. The senselessness of it all was baffling! 

Next, an overwhelming sense of anger rose up. When I read others' reactions and comments – “I hope he rots in hell!” – they fueled my anger towards the perpetrator even more. (NOTE: Facebook is not the best place to be when you are emotionally charged.) 

Eventually, my emotions transitioned into an incredible sense of sadness. Sadness for the RCMP officer and her family. Sadness for the families of those affected by the massacre. Sadness for the communities and the people of Nova Scotia – and even sadness for the family of the man committing these crimes. These emotions were like a tidal wave, but I’ve learned to stay away from posting anything during these emotions (although the pull to lash out publicly was very strong). 

Today, I’m no longer experiencing that flood of emotions. Yes, there is still a lingering sense of anger, and the grief will take some time to subside. Coincidentally, I was living in Moncton during a similar lockdown – when a militant sniper managed to kill three RCMP officers – and I experienced a similar wave of emotions. But the day after, something else rises up: resilience. The resilience that can only come from the existence of a loving, merciful God.

“How true it is, and how I long that everyone should know it, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and I was the greatest of them all” (1 Tim 1:15 TLB).

As I think about yesterday’s “rot-in-hell” comment, I can understand the sentiment, yet I cannot go there. Was I not the greatest sinner of them all? Yet God had mercy on me? There was a time in which I was destined to rot in hell for my transgressions, so I cannot wish that on the one who committed these horrible actions. When I think about this tormented soul, and what could have driven him to this carnage, a sense of pity comes over me. If only the Spirit of God were living within him.

If only the Spirit of God were living within him.

But I know his soul is in the hands of our creator. I also pray for the souls who were taken far too soon – and once again, I trust in the justice of our Heavenly Father. 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23 TLB).

On another note, I read another set of comments yesterday, surrounding the theme of hope: “I have no more faith in humankind”; “All hope is lost”; “People disgust me”; and so on. But we’re a resilient race, and all hope is not lost. Let’s take our cue from those brave servants of Canada, the RCMP, who woke up today with heavy hearts – yet one of their first acts was to head out the door to serve & protect us. They have not lost hope. 

It’s not people who are disgusting (we are created in the image of God), it’s our sinful nature that is disgusting. And despite this depraved nature, we have incredible hope in the cleansing power of Jesus. Sometimes, we need to be reminded that this cleansing power is for all, even for the ones we don’t think should deserve it. I did not deserve it, yet here I am, a servant of God – pastoring a flock in His name.

I encourage each of you to look into the promises of God. There are far too many – over one thousand – to list here. Today, please do not go to Facebook for your emotional fuel. Go to God’s Word for the encouragement found in His promises. Just think, If Jesus can save a man possessed by a legion of demons (Mark 5, Luke 8), He can save anyone!

A promise: “After you have suffered a little while, our God, who is full of kindness through Christ, will give you his eternal glory. He personally will come and pick you up, and set you firmly in place, and make you stronger than ever” (1 Pet. 5:10 TLB).

A promise: “Sarah, too, had faith, and because of this she was able to become a mother in spite of her old age, for she realized that God, who gave her his promise, would certainly do what he said” (Heb. 11:11 TLB).

A promise: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Is. 40:31 TLB).

A promise: “Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” (Rom. 5:5 TLB).

A promise: “And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans” (Rom. 8:28 TLB).

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This RCMP tribute by the 2014 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo seems fitting today:

* April 22, 2020, update: 22 victims, including 1 RCMP officer; 1 perpetrator killed.

Good Things Come in Threes?

“Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you” (1 Peter 5:7 TLB).

Three Conversations from Wednesday

Conversation One:

Each Wednesday the Baptist pastors from Atlantic Canada come together for a live panel discussion, including questions from the “the floor.” There are usually around a hundred of us in these virtual meetings. The topic that day was regarding the mental health of the pastor, giving us some practical advice and some telltale signs that things may not be going well. 

Here is a summary of that ninety-minute discussion: We have never done this before [ministering in a time of mandatory social distancing]; we are making it up as we go along, so don't be too hard on yourself (I’m not); we are in a marathon, so don’t sprint, rather, slow it down to a steady pace (I was sprinting, but I’ve brought it down to a jog); limit new things (I started a blog, recorded Sunday messages, and set up live Zoom for Bible study. And I’m considering how to do live Communion – time for me to limit new things); and stay connected (the blog helps, the Zoom-meetings help, the phone helps – but I hope these will be short-term solutions).

NOTE: I do mental self-assessment checks, and I want everyone to know that this pastor is doing fairly well! 

“James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me” (Gal. 2:9 ESV).

Conversation Two:

Starting last week, my Band-of-Brothers group gets together right after the CBAC meeting. When I was in NB, we used to get together once a month to check in on each other. Three pastors (and very close friends), living forty-five minutes apart, checking in on each other's personal and ministry lives. I’ve missed them and we’ve now decided, in our isolation, to get the band together through Zoom. Today we talked about the CBAC discussion and our own personal levels of anxiety. My own have been a bit of a roller coaster these last few weeks. We encouraged each other, rebuked each other, loved each other. I had missed this interaction, and I’m glad we’ve resumed “meeting.” (At least one positive from this social-distancing mandate).

“Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 ESV).

Conversation Three:

This one went into the wee hours of the morning. I chatted through Facebook with an old friend of mine, Dan. He contacted me when I commented on an Alice Cooper album cover he had posted. He was one of the “gang” back in high school (Germany). His brother Barry hosts a “Beer & Brats” reunion for some of the Germany gang every year (Trenton, ON). I’ve never gone, since I am not one to “live in the past.” Put your head on the plow and don’t look back. 

I had heard from Barry that my old friend had ALS in an advanced form. It’s very debilitating and makes it difficult to speak or even get out. I chatted with Dan that night on messenger – for the first time in over thirty years. We talked a little about old times, a lot about his illness, and about how he doesn't like seeing people because he’s embarrassed that others have a hard time understanding his impeded speech. He said it would be good to see me. I agreed that I’d love to see him too (thinking I may not have too many chances). Thirty years, and I didn’t even know I missed him, until that night.

I don’t subscribe to “all good things come in threes.” What I do subscribe to is James 1:17, “But whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God, the Creator of all light, and he shines forever without change or shadow” (TLB). The panel from CBAC is a good thing from above. Getting together with my band of brothers is a good thing from above. Chatting with an old friend is a good thing from above – and the good things from above do not stop at three. The good things from above continue to shower down upon us, and will not stop until His Kingdom comes!

The good things from above continue to shower down upon us, and will not stop until His Kingdom comes!

I hope to attend the next “Beer & Brats.” And what I don’t consume in beer, I will make up in brats. :) It's a strange feeling, missing someone – so intensely – whom I haven't seen, or barely thought of, in over thirty years. Was it God’s prompting? I’m keeping my head on the plow, not looking back, but looking forward to my reunion with Dan.

And maybe, just maybe, that reunion will also be in Heaven. 

“Is anyone among you suffering? He should keep on praying about it. And those who have reason to be thankful should continually be singing praises to the Lord” (James 5:13 TLB).

Answers from God

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Yesterday kicked off our first “Trivia Tuesday – No Trivial Pursuit.” I hope we can all learn something from the questions directed at Jesus, and the questions that Jesus asked. 

I may be the host, but the answers don’t come from me. They will come from the Father, the greatest quiz master of all time. The answers will not be my interpretations, but direct quotes from God Himself (through His Word). I will give some commentary on each answer, pertaining to my life (and possibly yours).

Yesterday’s category:

“Questions the Disciples Asked” 

1) Disciples, “Why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?” (John 9:2)*

Answer from God’s Word:

“Neither,” Jesus answered. “But to demonstrate the power of God. All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, for there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end. But while I am still here in the world, I give it my light” (John 9:3–5).

COMMENTS: I’ve had a number of afflictions in my life. From battling depression as a teenager, then again in my mid-thirties, to a lung condition that makes me high-risk to the Coronavirus. It’s encouraging to know that each affliction I’ve had is not the result of my sins or those of my ancestors. It’s also good to know that living as “sin-free” as possible does not equate good health. As I look back, I’m thankful to see how these afflictions have brought glory to God.

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2) James and John, “Master, shall we order fire down from heaven to burn them up?” (Luke 9:54).

Answer from God’s Word:

“Jesus turned and rebuked them” (Luke 9:55).

COMMENTS: Bringing fire down on God’s enemies is only reserved for God. It's a reminder that judgment belongs to God and not to us – for He did say, “Love your enemies.”

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3) Peter, “Sir, how often should I forgive a brother who sins against me? Seven times?” (Matt 18:21).

Answer from God’s Word:

“No!” Jesus replied, “seventy times seven!” (Matt 18:22).

COMMENTS: At the heart of the Christ’s ministry is forgiveness. We know that forgiving each other is hard and definitely not always instant, especially over and over. But, striving to forgive, as Jesus has forgiven us, is the goal.

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4) Nathaniel, “How do you know what I am like?” (John 1:48).

Answer from God’s Word:

“I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you” (John 1:48).

COMMENTS: Nathaniel replied to Jesus with this, “Sir, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!” (v. 49). Jesus knew me long before I knew Him. It may be unnerving to know that we cannot hide from God, but it must also bring tremendous comfort to know that in our complete “nakedness,” He loves us anyway!

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5) Thomas, “We haven’t any idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5).

Answer from God’s Word:

Jesus told him, “I am the Way—yes, and the Truth and the Life. No one can get to the Father except by means of me. If you had known who I am, then you would have known who my Father is. From now on you know him—and have seen him!” (John 14:6–7).

COMMENT: A reminder that Jesus is God and the only way to see the Father (or Heaven) is to know Jesus.

May your day be blessed with “Answers from God.”

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*All Scriptures have been quoted from The Living Bible.

It’s No Trivial Pursuit

“You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest” (Jer. 29:13 TLB).

Socially Distant Trivia, hosted by Carolyn DeWare

Trivia Tuesdays. I like the sound of that. Maybe it will become a thing for me (and you). But, let's not get ahead of the game. First, I want to tell you about trivia Mondays. It doesn’t have as nice a “ring” to it, but it’s a real thing. Every Monday night, Oceanview Christian Academy (OCA) hosts an online trivia night (fundraiser of $5/person, or whatever you would like to donate). It’s called Socially Distant Trivia. Many families come together to compete for the prize, a champion banner for your Facebook wall for the week. I enjoy trivia: Trivial Pursuit, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Jeopardy, and many more. Last night's theme was Easter. With eight categories, I was expecting one to be biblical, but I was wrong. The categories did include Creme Eggs, Bunnies, Basket Case, and Animals from Eggs. Our score was 34/52. You might think 65 percent is not very good (especially since every question is multiple choice – A or B), but it was much better than our 56 percent from the week before!

With my disappointment over no biblical Easter category, I thought, Why not have a Trivia Tuesday – with a biblical theme? But instead of the questions coming from me, I thought I’d invite God – the greatest quiz master of all time – to this blog to give out the questions. 

“How?” you ask.

There were many, many questions directed at Jesus, and that’s where some of the Trivia Tuesday questions will come from. The others will come from Jesus, for He asked over three hundred questions in the Bible. Pursuing God is no trivial matter, and I hope this time of Q and A through God’s Word will bring us all a little closer to Him. 

Let’s get started with today’s category:

Questions the Disciples Asked 

1. Disciples, “Why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?” (The Living Bible, TLB)

2. James and John, “Master, shall we order fire down from heaven to burn them up?” (TLB)

3. Peter, “Sir, how often should I forgive a brother who sins against me? Seven times?” (TLB)

4. Nathaniel, “How do you know what I am like?” (TLB)

5. Thomas, “We haven’t any idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (TLB)

Our first trivia set is a bit on the easy side – just to ease us into the idea of Trivia Tuesday.

Many years ago, I used to read trivia in the newspaper, and I’d have some time to contemplate the questions before the answers were published the following day. Likewise, Wednesdays will be “Answer Wednesdays” to give you time to ponder the questions (and answers).  

Let’s learn together, in a not-so-trivial pursuit!

“I love all who love me. Those who search for me shall surely find me” (Prov. 8:17 TLB).

From Suffering to Living

“After you have suffered a little while, our God, who is full of kindness through Christ, will give you his eternal glory. He personally will come and pick you up, and set you firmly in place, and make you stronger than ever” (1 Pet. 5:10 TLB).

We’ve entered our fifth month since welcoming Toby (our dog) into our family. This is now our third family dog. The first, named “Zoo/Zoobie,” came to us before the kids were born and stayed almost 14 years. The second, “Baylee,” came to us as an adult and stayed about 6 years. It seems I’ve always had a dog in my home. Growing up, we had a few, and my favourite was “The Fonz.” Fonzerelli passed while I was at university, and it’s the only pet I’ve ever shed tears over.

But of all the dogs that have been part of my family, I don’t think any have been as special as Toby. I’m not sure why. Maybe it's because we chose her from birth, and we followed her first eight weeks with the breeders; or maybe it’s the smile she puts on your face when you meet her. I think the biggest reason is that when I sit in my prayer chair to pray or to read, she comes up beside me and asks to sit on my lap. It makes reading hard, and drinking my coffee even harder, but I never say no. She’s entered my heart in a way no other pet has ever done.

One of Toby’s fave spots.

Because she’s captured my heart, Saturday was a trying day. Early that morning is when it started, the vomiting. I lost count at nine – the number of times we (Leona/Amanda) had to clean it up. We decided to call the vet, whose answering service clearly stated there would be a (substantial?) fee charged for a consultation on Easter weekend. We thought about waiting until Monday (very, very briefly), then called the emergency number anyway. We received some great counsel and followed it. Easter morning was probably the best meal Toby’s had to date, lean ground beef. By Sunday afternoon, she was her rambunctious self – or even more so, flying around the house like a banshee. (Is there something in the beef that only vets are aware of?) Her old self had come back to life on Resurrection Sunday.

“You have sorrow now, but I will see you again and then you will rejoice; and no one can rob you of that joy” (John 16:22 TLB).

Not lost on me is the symbolism of the grief I went through on Saturday as my puppy suffered, while there was nothing I could do. Friday, I watched The Passion of the Christ and saw images of Jesus suffering, and it pained me. Saturday, we watched the filmed stage performance of Jesus and saw images of the Christ that grieved me. All these feelings were replaced with pure joy as the images changed to that of an empty tomb. I’m filled with happiness now that Toby is back to full health, but that happiness does not compare to the blessing of knowing Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection. 

One other blessing from the weekend that was not lost on me: the substantial fee for the vet counselling was waived. I paid nothing for the joy of a revived Toby. The vet paid my price. All our debts, built up because of our sin, have been paid for, by Jesus. We, followers of Jesus, have been saved from eternal suffering to enjoy eternal living – and we paid nothing! He extends His hand, offering this gift to everyone who will take it, and His hand will stay extended until you can no longer say yes.

If you have yet to do it, do it now – and say yes!

“Say a quiet yes to God and He’ll be there in no time” (James 4:8 MSG).