Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Amazed with all eye see
This week I have had the priveledge of being amazed by my surroundings. Here in Käsmu, I have experienced in a refreshed way what it means to see. It's an odd thing to say especially for a person that should have fairly good eyesight...
I've seen countless sunsets in my life, yet this week I seem to see sunsets in a deeper splender. The many times I've seen wildlife, I've never really been so intrigued by the fox and it's coat, the colour, tail and his stance. Or listening in amazement to the conversation of the birds. Viewing houses, fading rustic wood structures each of which has had a life of it's own, a history, a deep story to tell. This is what has captivated me this week, nothing new, yet the view has been splendedly refreshing.
Are we too busy to truly notice the intricate beauty of God's creation? We have so many agendas and time constraints which we fail to release ourselves from even when we take some "time for ourselves". We miss the beauty of the simple things God has given for us to enjoy, distancing ourselves from our surroundings, not fully sensing the sights, sounds, smells and feeling of living in the midst of this glorious creation we call nature.
I'm more convinced than ever, that as the human race we are destroying ourselves. We have lost touch with true reality and replaced it with our own ideas of prosperity, wealth, lifestyle, and values. With our actions we seem to neglect our creator and the surroundings He has placed us in. This earth is a blessing providing us with all our needs and more. Yet somehow our eyes are covered with scales, our view is distorted by selfish views, goals and desires. It seems "no eye has seen, no ear has heard what God has prepared" also applies to us for not seeing what surrounds us today! And if we don't see it and appreciate it, how can we think we are wise enough to manage it? The sad fact is that we are not.
We make plans, and yet our plans are flawed. We erect buildings, yet they all one day crumble. It seems every movement we make we just damage all that has been so perfectly crafted by God. All a product of our "knowledge and wisdom" what we call progress. As I sit here and contemplate what has become, I somehow think this is not how God intended us to live.
Just where have we lost our way? And can we find our way back?
I've seen countless sunsets in my life, yet this week I seem to see sunsets in a deeper splender. The many times I've seen wildlife, I've never really been so intrigued by the fox and it's coat, the colour, tail and his stance. Or listening in amazement to the conversation of the birds. Viewing houses, fading rustic wood structures each of which has had a life of it's own, a history, a deep story to tell. This is what has captivated me this week, nothing new, yet the view has been splendedly refreshing.
Are we too busy to truly notice the intricate beauty of God's creation? We have so many agendas and time constraints which we fail to release ourselves from even when we take some "time for ourselves". We miss the beauty of the simple things God has given for us to enjoy, distancing ourselves from our surroundings, not fully sensing the sights, sounds, smells and feeling of living in the midst of this glorious creation we call nature.
I'm more convinced than ever, that as the human race we are destroying ourselves. We have lost touch with true reality and replaced it with our own ideas of prosperity, wealth, lifestyle, and values. With our actions we seem to neglect our creator and the surroundings He has placed us in. This earth is a blessing providing us with all our needs and more. Yet somehow our eyes are covered with scales, our view is distorted by selfish views, goals and desires. It seems "no eye has seen, no ear has heard what God has prepared" also applies to us for not seeing what surrounds us today! And if we don't see it and appreciate it, how can we think we are wise enough to manage it? The sad fact is that we are not.
We make plans, and yet our plans are flawed. We erect buildings, yet they all one day crumble. It seems every movement we make we just damage all that has been so perfectly crafted by God. All a product of our "knowledge and wisdom" what we call progress. As I sit here and contemplate what has become, I somehow think this is not how God intended us to live.
Just where have we lost our way? And can we find our way back?
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Rediscovering lost treasure
On Sunday I met with my aunt's granddaughter, who happens to be the closest relative I have in Estonia. She inherited the property where my dad was born and grew up. We had met once earlier after my aunt died in 1993, but I had completely lost touch with her (she had remarried and changed her name since). Nice to reconnect with a lost relative.
For the last 3 years a new house stands where my grandfather's house once stood. So time has erased this part of my father's past as well. In a way I'm saddened by the loss, but in another way I'm glad for the progress, as I remember already 16 years ago this house was in bad shape and needed to be replaced.
She showed me a few things my aunt had left, my grandfather's portrait, my grandmother's will, and she also told me somewhere she has school books from the 1930's possibly belonging to my dad. My dad could have never imagined how interested his future son would be to see his schoolwork some 70-80 years later...
I've also found out that after my dad served in the Finnish army from 18 Jan 1944 to 18 Sept 1944, he never returned to Estonia, instead emigrating to Sweden, eventually on to Canada, never to see his mom or home again.
So here at my dad's home I have found a few of his footprints, although most over time have been wiped away. I pray I find more, but it seems only remnents remain.
For the last 3 years a new house stands where my grandfather's house once stood. So time has erased this part of my father's past as well. In a way I'm saddened by the loss, but in another way I'm glad for the progress, as I remember already 16 years ago this house was in bad shape and needed to be replaced.
She showed me a few things my aunt had left, my grandfather's portrait, my grandmother's will, and she also told me somewhere she has school books from the 1930's possibly belonging to my dad. My dad could have never imagined how interested his future son would be to see his schoolwork some 70-80 years later...
I've also found out that after my dad served in the Finnish army from 18 Jan 1944 to 18 Sept 1944, he never returned to Estonia, instead emigrating to Sweden, eventually on to Canada, never to see his mom or home again.
So here at my dad's home I have found a few of his footprints, although most over time have been wiped away. I pray I find more, but it seems only remnents remain.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
where my life began
As I have reflected the past weeks and months over my life, my parents, relationships, travels and business, I've realised God has given me a great treasure of experiences to learn from and share. Looking back it has been a journey filled with growth, pain, joy, loss, and love. There have been stumbling blocks where I have faultered on along the way, times of strength and of weakness, people I have hurt and been hurt by, a multitude of experiences I would not trade for the world have all formed who I am today.
These last two weekends in Käsmu, have been gifts from above. Walking where my father once walked has given me not only a new perspective, but also given me pieces to the puzzle of my identity. Last weekend I met an older fellow who filled in alot of blanks regarding my father and his family, many things my dad never talked about, life stories I thought were lost forever. And rolled out before me is my family tree dating back to the 1700's, something I planned to research was just handed to me as a gift.
Why is this gift so timely and important? I've been thinking for some time to write my life story, being raised in Canada, moving to Estonia and all I've experienced along my journey. But along with lack of time, so many of the pieces have also been missing. I've come to understand much of who I am is actually a product of who my parents were and what they experienced along their journey. Now some of these missing pieces are falling into place.
So this is where I begin. In a way my life began along these shores, as who I am today has much to do with what happened here long before I was even born. So as i'm writing about my father, I'm also thinking how His life is reflected in mine. Puts an interesting twist on the thought the Psalmist shared, that God knew us long before we were ever concieved...
These last two weekends in Käsmu, have been gifts from above. Walking where my father once walked has given me not only a new perspective, but also given me pieces to the puzzle of my identity. Last weekend I met an older fellow who filled in alot of blanks regarding my father and his family, many things my dad never talked about, life stories I thought were lost forever. And rolled out before me is my family tree dating back to the 1700's, something I planned to research was just handed to me as a gift.
Why is this gift so timely and important? I've been thinking for some time to write my life story, being raised in Canada, moving to Estonia and all I've experienced along my journey. But along with lack of time, so many of the pieces have also been missing. I've come to understand much of who I am is actually a product of who my parents were and what they experienced along their journey. Now some of these missing pieces are falling into place.
So this is where I begin. In a way my life began along these shores, as who I am today has much to do with what happened here long before I was even born. So as i'm writing about my father, I'm also thinking how His life is reflected in mine. Puts an interesting twist on the thought the Psalmist shared, that God knew us long before we were ever concieved...
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The "Aura"
A couple of days ago I had an interesting conversation with a fellow in Käsmu, my dad's home village. As we talked about cultural values everything from paintings to swords to coins, he mentioned something interesting he's noticed about churches. Many churches abroad seem to have a certain "aura" about them, something that can rarely be found in Estonian churches. And he can't figure out what makes certain churches feel so different.
As I pondered what he said, I started thinking about many of the churches I've visited over the years. I've been in church buildings that have left me completely cold, and other places I've visited are somehow alive and the presence of God can be felt. What I've also noticed it has very little to do with the confession or denomination of the church.
It became evident to me, what my new friend described was actually a very spiritual experience, although I'm not so sure he recognised it as this. Why is it that some churches have an "aura" but some do not. Scripture gives us some good clues...
Seems that God dwells not in structures but in the worship and praise of His people, however the aura of His presence can remain in a building for a time. 2 Chronicals 5:1-14 is an classic example of how God's presence fills the temple as His people worship Him. Verse 13 states:
"It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD"
Another scripture Matt 18:20 says "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.", once again defining where God's presence can be found.
So where have our churches lost their "aura"? Perhaps instead of really worshiping the creator we're seeking some special feeling from the created. We look for the "aura" in anything from church buildings to church service, from man's creation to nature, completely neglecting to seek the one who the source of this wonderful "aura".
This "aura" cannot be contained in buildings or structures or places. Jesus once said "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,..". So His "aura" is within us, provided our lives are an act of worship to God. Consider this wherever your journey takes you today, whether to church, or walking in nature, or just sitting in the living room of your home.
And examine your own heart,.. do you sense His "aura" there?
.
As I pondered what he said, I started thinking about many of the churches I've visited over the years. I've been in church buildings that have left me completely cold, and other places I've visited are somehow alive and the presence of God can be felt. What I've also noticed it has very little to do with the confession or denomination of the church.
It became evident to me, what my new friend described was actually a very spiritual experience, although I'm not so sure he recognised it as this. Why is it that some churches have an "aura" but some do not. Scripture gives us some good clues...
Seems that God dwells not in structures but in the worship and praise of His people, however the aura of His presence can remain in a building for a time. 2 Chronicals 5:1-14 is an classic example of how God's presence fills the temple as His people worship Him. Verse 13 states:
"It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD"
Another scripture Matt 18:20 says "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.", once again defining where God's presence can be found.
So where have our churches lost their "aura"? Perhaps instead of really worshiping the creator we're seeking some special feeling from the created. We look for the "aura" in anything from church buildings to church service, from man's creation to nature, completely neglecting to seek the one who the source of this wonderful "aura".
This "aura" cannot be contained in buildings or structures or places. Jesus once said "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,..". So His "aura" is within us, provided our lives are an act of worship to God. Consider this wherever your journey takes you today, whether to church, or walking in nature, or just sitting in the living room of your home.
And examine your own heart,.. do you sense His "aura" there?
.
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