We caught some strong currents and swirling water, and the boat bounced around rocks, dipping up and down with the rapids. Suddenly, the boat lurched, the bow dropped, and then, with weight in the back, I sprang up and was thrown out of the boat into the icy water.

What I remember of shooting down the rapids was not only the fear of being helpless but the greater fear of my head being squashed by a rock as my clumsy fishing waders filled with water and pulled me down. After what seemed like an eternity, in a minute, I was lifted by my wader belt by a friend in the front boat who had witnessed the accident and who came to my rescue.

Not knowing about hypothermia, I was shivering and in shock as they pulled me to shore, put me in dry clothes, and quickly built a fire. Following the fear, I experienced peace.

Recall Jesus' first words to His fearful disciples on the evening of His resurrection:

John 20:19 – When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." (NRSV)

Take a moment and pause with the word fear. Identify a time when the spirit of fear held you locked behind closed doors. "Peace be with you." Peace is a beautiful word. Add to it the peace of God. In Philippians 4:7, Paul reminds us that the peace of God "surpasses all understanding". This is so because it requires faith. Faith in the risen Lord surpasses understanding and informs our knowledge to discern the spirits, bringing light into darkness, life into death.

Prior to unlocking the door and leaving the upper room, Jesus "breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" (John 20:22b NRSV)

We are in the season following Pentecost, and it is the Holy Spirit who "will guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13b NRSV) by discerning the spirits. Fear stops us. Fear is strong but it is destructive. Faith is stronger and productive. Let us receive the Holy Spirit, and He will produce our life in Christ — now and forevermore.

Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, come. Help us, we pray, in our weakness. There are times when we are caught by the spirit of fear and know not how to pray. Yet, we know that You will intercede, especially when our sighs are too deep for words. Help us to discern all things working together for good as we ask You to come, Holy Spirit. Come! Amen.

When their parents learned that I had slurped down a bowl of frozen yogurt in place of ice cream, their cry of "Hypocrite!" rang through every fibre of my being.

What I learned again this Lent is that I am a hypocrite. I succumb to temptation. Mea culpa. I can't claim victory. Granted, this is much ado about ice cream, but beneath the laughter of my grandchildren and the scolding of their parents, a deeper message speaks to my need for a saviour.

"Alleluia! He is risen!" The Easter cry forgives every fibre of my being. Down through the ages, this cry speaks loud and clear to a world in desperate need of renewal and salvation.

It begins in an empty tomb — empty, as if nothing is there. Yet it is here in the very emptiness that the gospel speaks of the fullness of life with God, Who provides us with everything.

In Jesus, we experience life over death; sin is beaten, and evil has done its worst. In Christ, there is the victory, once and for all!

Notice that we are not alone as we walk away from the tomb. The disciples, the women, angels, archangels, Christians down through the ages — all the company of heaven — join us as the veil separating heaven from earth is pulled back.

God is revealed, joining us in communion — in union — with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, leading us onward with those who have gone before us, as "death has been swallowed up in victory"! (1 Corinthians 15:54 NRSV)

The Easter victory provides us with new life in Christ. It is life with meaning, purpose, and direction — in Christ. Such a renewal does not begin with us but in Christ. Notice that this little two-letter preposition "in" is a huge word. From the empty tomb, we interact, as we enter into the living mind, heart, and will of the risen Christ.

Paul writes, "It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me." (Galatians 2:20 NRSV) This is the truth as we walk from the tomb of darkness and death, and experience the Easter light and life of a new day in Christ.

As this Easter season continues, let's go ahead and sing, "The strife is o'er, the battle done. The victory of life is won. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"

Prayer: Dear Lord, with the eye of faith, we now see the vision before us as, in You, we claim goodness over evil, life over death, faith over fear, and freedom in You which leads us beyond sin and into worship of Your presence here on earth as it is in heaven. Thanks be to You, O God, "who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57 NRSV) Amen.

We are not alone in this. Let us consider Peter. Shortly after his confession of Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus explained what being the Messiah entailed. He predicted that the elders, the chief priest, and the scribes would kill Him, but that He would be raised on the third day. Peter rebuked Jesus and cried, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you." (Matthew 16:22 NRSV)

Let us also remember the time when the disciples had been with Jesus all day healing the sick. As evening set in, they wondered what they were supposed to do with all those people who needed help. Their solution was simple: "Send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." But Jesus had a better plan. "Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds." In the end, five thousand were fed. (Matthew 14:15-21 NRSV)

As I prayed over my inner turmoil, suddenly, it became clear that I was not only distracted with stress, anxiety, and worry, but I was seeking worldly solutions. The Holy Spirit provided His help by reminding me of the hymn, "Trust and obey". Of course, "There is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Trust is another way of describing faith. Faith and trust go hand in hand. Whatever worries we may have, Jesus provides us with inner strength by yoking our spirit to His as we offer our gifts, skills, and competencies to a world in need.

As for me, prayers came alive like never before, as I was moved from distraction to the attraction of being called to follow Jesus and to trust and obey. Praying taught me that the only way to step into the future is by faith in Jesus.

When we obey, our obedience reminds us of our status as disciples: followers who are disciplined. So, we obey our Master, and we sing, "Never fear, only trust and obey."

Prayer: Dear Lord, may we step into the future and the promise of tomorrow only by faith in You. Guide and direct us in all that we do. May we always be mindful to trust and obey Your lead as we follow You this day and forevermore. Amen.

I looked up the background of the hymn and was blown away. The author, Joseph Scriven, experienced terrific tragedy and grief throughout much of his life. Irish-born, he attended Trinity College in Dublin and was planning on marriage upon graduation.

On the day before the wedding, his fiancée was riding her horse by the bank of a river, when the horse was spooked and threw her against rocks. She rolled into the river and drowned. Overcome by grief, Scriven left his family and friends in Ireland and emigrated to Canada at the age of 25. His intent was to live a lifestyle based on the Sermon on the Mount where he would serve those in need.

Soon, however, he fell in love with a young Canadian woman, and they planned on marriage. Yet, prior to the wedding, she contracted pneumonia and died. Then, during this same period of his life, in 1844, he learned that his mother was seriously ill. Not having the necessary funds to go home to Ireland, he wrote three verses and mailed them to her. These verses became the hymn, "What a Friend we have in Jesus".

Think of this hymn in the context of Joseph Scriven's life, and sing out his words on prayer:

O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Let that verse roll around inside you and reflect on the needless pain that we carry.

Needless pain comes when we think that time cures all. Needless pain appears when we are helpless and do not turn to God. Rather than carry everything to God, we tend to deny or avoid our grief and sweep it under the carpet. Pain soon is repressed, and we carry it as a useless weight.

Joseph Scriven knew well — as do many of us who have suffered — that Jesus opens the door for us to pray. Hear His invitation: "If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it." (John 14:14 NRSV) Our prayer is living prayer. It is ongoing — and it is two-way. We let the Lord know. We might ask for anything, a little thing, perhaps everything, but when through asking, we hear the silence.

We wait. We listen. We hear the Word. "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you." (Matthew 11:28-29a NRSV)

A friend cares. What a Friend we have in Jesus! He will help us to carry the weight and the burden, and heal the needless pain, and it makes a difference — all the difference in the world. So go ahead and join the chorus. Sing it out, and join me in taking it to the Lord in prayer:

Prayer: Lord, You know my weaknesses and the burdens I carry. I need Your help. I cannot do it on my own. I know You have suffered. Yet I believe You have risen from the dead. You are the Lord of my life. I ask for Your yoke. I know You care. What a Friend we have in You, Jesus! Thank You. Amen.

While cleaning out her bedroom, I came across a framed biblical verse by the apostle Paul. It was sitting on a small table next to her bedside. From when I was a teenager, I recalled her showing me this quotation, which had cut-out flowers surrounding the biblical passage, all glued on a small mat in an inexpensive drugstore frame. At the time, I thought little of it.

Years later, the framed verse was still there. For some reason, there was no way that I could dispose of the pocket-sized framed verse. It read:

Philippians 4:11 – Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (KJV)

I brought the framed verse home, and it sits on my desk today as a gift from my grandmother. I feel certain that she is grateful, "I have learned."

Becoming content does not happen overnight. It is something that we learn — oftentimes the hard way. Contentment is greater than an emotional state of being. I have learned that emotions come and go and feelings are fickle, as they sometimes blow hot while other times cold.

The contentment that Paul is referring to is spiritual, and it begins with our reliance upon God and placing our trust and confidence in Jesus as Lord of our life. The fact that contentment is spiritual also means that it is a gift from the Holy Spirit Who relates and unites us to the will of God — and not our own will.

There is movement in this verse as Paul encourages us to learn contentment because we can then "do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13 NKJV) That does not mean that I am superman! It does mean that we can be content in all circumstances through God's strength — not our own strength. Such is quite the difference.

I have also learned that this strength comes through grace, which time and again gives us the strength to do those things that we can normally not do on our own. All of this brings me back to holding onto contentment and cherishing the gift from my grandmother.

As we think of the big picture — heaven and earth, life and death, today and tomorrow — reflect on the gift of spiritual contentment in your own life and what you have learned. Of course, stress, anxiety, and worry are all strong, but we have learned and now believe that contentment is even stronger.

Perhaps you know of others who will find Paul's word of contentment helpful. Consider it today as a gift that keeps on giving.

Prayer: Dear Lord, You have taught us to be content, especially during those times in life when we had little and then when we had plenty; those days when we were frustrated and then when we were completely satisfied. Lord, help us to learn that it is not about us. Rather, time and again, in good times and in bad, You are there, and by relying on You, may we find contentment through Your grace and peace passing all understanding. We give You thanks, this day and forevermore. Amen.

Some were busy with work and kids. Others were empty nesters and ready to enjoy life. Several admitted that they had just gotten out of the habit since COVID-19. Then, there were those who had given up on the institutionalized church.

Rather than become defensive, I wonder: if they are not worshipping at the altar of Jesus Christ, where or what are they worshipping?

If they are attending a rock concert and worship a musician they love, or a sporting event where the athletes are glorified, it is doubtful that they will get much in the way of adoration or glory in return. Of course, the real danger with a false altar is that it can break the second commandment, "You shall not make for yourself an idol." (Exodus 20:4a NRSVA)

The same holds true if they worship at the altar of fame and fortune. This altar is not just about money or climbing ladders. It can be become self-destructive, for Jesus warns, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth … for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19a,21 NRSVA)

We know that idolatry and false worship have been around for ages. We also know that the altar of Jesus Christ is before us where, "the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth." (John 4:23a NRSVA)

The word "worship" is derived from the word "worth". When we worship at the altar of Jesus Christ, we are doing something worthwhile by providing ourselves with meaning, purpose, and direction.

The hour is now. It is time for us not only to invite a GenXer back to worship in Spirit and truth, but it is a higher calling for those of us who are willing to mentor this next generation. As mentors one-on-one, we can help to discern and sort through the conflicting cultural priorities, values, and views which tend to separate us from God and our biblical beliefs.

We need not simply be the "adult in the room", but we can also be mature adults who have a little wisdom under our belts and are willing to meet at a personal level. We can at least ask questions and encourage a conversation between the generations about what it might mean to follow Jesus. Also, it may be fair to ask what God expects of you, me, and our churches today, and how can we pray together for such an expectation to be realized. Such questions demonstrate the openness of the church to invite GenX seekers to the altar before us where we can worship together and experience the "peace of God, which surpasses all understanding." (Philippians 4:7a NRSVA)

Prayer: Almighty God, as we kneel before Your altar in Spirit and in truth, clothe us in Your Spirit and help us to reach out with hands and hearts of love to those who do not yet know You, so that all that we do may be to Your honour and glory in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Many churches celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration on August 6, based on the story in today's verses. We know what "mountaintop" experiences are, but this is not about anything that we do, rather that we become aware of what God is doing.

While praying, Jesus appears in a different light to the disciples, who witness Jesus stepping into heaven, surrounded by Moses the lawgiver and Elijah the prophet. Then, a cloud surrounds them, and a voice from God says, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" (Luke 9:35b NRSVA) In other words, "Be still, and know that I am God!" (Psalm 46:10a NRSVA)

I will never forget when my dad died. I was sitting beside him in the nursing home and was told by the doctor that he would not live long. It was Saturday night. I remember making countless phone calls and staying busy. I could not sit still. It was hard being silent. Then, around six o'clock on Sunday morning, Dad breathed his last. We were both still and silent.

I was keenly aware of something going on, call it "holy", as Dad's life — beginning and end — seemed before me. Then, there was a knock at the door. It was housekeeping. I informed the cleaning lady that Dad had just died and that there was no need for her help. She apologized but approached Dad's bed, asking if she could pray.

She prayed like an angel. She prayed for God to enter the room and fill Dad's lungs with the breath of the Holy Spirit. She prayed for his feet to walk in heaven and for him to be given the mind of Christ. She prayed that his eyes would see his loved ones in heaven and have a vision of God. It was as if a holy cloud had surrounded us. As she prayed, I wept like a baby. Then she left, almost as quickly as she entered.

I will always cherish the lady from housekeeping. And as I recall, this occurred on the Sunday of the Transfiguration.

In worship today, listen to Him. Hear Jesus say, "I am the resurrection and the life … and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25a,26 NRSVA) Our response to Jesus is life-changing, for ever and ever.

Prayer: Almighty God, it was on the Mount of Transfiguration that You did a mighty work in revealing Jesus as Your Son and calling upon us as witnesses to listen to Him. We thank You for the work that You did then, as You do now in our lives. Continue, we pray, to reveal the eternal life all around us, as we listen to Jesus, by praying that Your will may be done on earth as in heaven. Amen.