Hope in Troubled Times

The following is a short excerpt from a sermon preached at Bow Valley Christian Church on October 30, 2016. The entire sermon can be heard here.

In a world of fear and pessimism, Jesus provides hope. Can we proclaim that to the world? When we hear people lamenting about this weird presidential election in the US, can we say Jesus is our hope? When we hear people talking about real estate bubbles and the downturn in Calgary’s economy, can we say that Jesus is our hope? When we hear of people moving into the American Redoubt to live “off the grid” and away from trouble, can we say that Jesus is our hope? When we hear of wars in far off places causing a flood of refugees into Europe and the rest of the world, can we say that Jesus, the Messiah, is our hope?

Links to the news of our world:

Unusual, strange, weird election in the USA 

Real estate bubbles

Downturn in the Alberta Economy

Calgary economic downturn and small businesses

American Redoubt

Off the grid

Voices

It's 5 am and all is quiet
But I hear voices in my head
One says, "I should seek out comfort"
Another, "Give it all away"

This life is complex and confusing
Not many wise enough to know
But I will always keep on seeking
The Voice that whispers in the Wind.

It's the Voice that cleared away the darkness
It's the Voice that separated seas
It's the Voice that speaks against oppression
The Voice that whispers in the Wind

So many voices that I'm hearing
Got to listen through the buzz
One says, "Give it up and follow"
Another, "You are just a fool"

The call of comfort keeps on screaming
I listen hard to sort it out
But I will always keep on seeking
The Voice that whispers in the Wind

It's the Voice that cleared away the darkness
It's the Voice that separated seas
It's the Voice that speaks against oppression
The Voice that whispers in the Wind

It's the Voice that says I am holy
It's the Voice that calls me by name
It's the Voice that heals all my sickness
The Voice that whispers in the Wind*


*December 2010, Lyrics by Keith Shields, Music by Mike Charko.
(Listen to the song here.)

Warrior is a Child

Somedays I feel like a warrior; somedays I feel like a child. Somedays I feel like a little of both.

Lately I've been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I'm amazing
Strong beyond my years
But they don't see inside of me
I'm hiding all the tears

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child

Unafraid because His armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I'm amazing
Never face retreat
But they don't see the enemies
That lay me at His feet

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armor
the warrior is a child

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and look up for a smile
'Cause deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
The Warrior is a Child*

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21

*Words and music by Twila Paris.