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The Hole in the Fence

This story was an idea that came to me some time ago, when reports in the media noted that ordinary Canadians took offence at the remarks made about the ‘51^st State’ and started to avoid the USA as their prime vacation destination. I have been trying to find a nice conclusion but so far it escapes me but maybe it is a story without an ending and…….

Perhaps not finding a good closing is because there is also a ‘hole’ in the ‘bridge’……and ‘It’s the money, stupid’….

There had always been a hole in the fence.

In fact, sometimes there were several holes that allowed the animals to travel freely between the two estate properties. Though way back in the beginning there was no fence at all. Long ago a fence had been necessary to clearly indicate where one property estate started and the other finished but other than that, the rule: ‘Fences make good neighbours’, ruled the day. A thick natural hedge had formed and stretched around the fence making it almost invisible.

Long, long ago a ‘fence’ between the properties did not exist. As the settling of people grew, ordered regions were developed based on seasonal needs, but strict borders were always somewhat unclear, so that there was much movement across and into both territories. With time it became more difficult to manage the flow of animals and people. So, in all kingdom wisdom, seeing that the population of both sides was growing and ownership became important, the people by mutual agreement, erected a fence, and over time the hedge grew around it. However, the animals did not have the same conceptional community sharing of the landscape and so the hole in the fence existed as an acknowledgement that some things are required but not all things work equally well.

Every creature on either side knew where the hole(s) existed and so visits to and from were an everyday usual occurrence.

One estate was more developed and populated then the other and many benefits flowed back and forth, from the bigger to the smaller and smaller to the bigger, although in land size the properties were nearly identical. But the least populated one was slightly larger in area and expanded further, farther into the frozen regions toward the North Pole.

Oh, there had been scrimmages in the past but those had been settled and almost forgotten, except for lessons taught to highschoolers as facts of historic relevance and most embarrassing events were cherished by some and preserved by others as teaching lessons in nation formation building. Lessons learned.

Both estates were situated on the same block of the wider land region but in their own quarters and both enjoyed many of the benefits belonging to similar established estates on a mutual friendly basis, especially those with a joined historic past were situated across the big pond and enjoyed by all.

These benefits weren’t just for specific animals, no, the entire animal population enjoyed the goodwill and generosity of these estates. The hole in the fence was the port that facilitated a long, trusted friendship of understanding. Each knew were they belonged and the visits back and forth were a refreshing change in meeting new residents and contacts. In fact, some animals had relatives on both sides and enjoyed their frequent journeys and get-togethers.

The rabbits, cats, raccoons, squirrels and the chipmunks were the most frequent visitors through the hole in the fence. Their small size and commonality were the key to this ease of travel back and forth. Other animals also used the hole in the fence, but its use was by far for the smaller visitors.

As far as climate was concerned, the same seasons were enjoyed by both but in a different and more extreme settings making the one more attractive in the cold and the other more inviting during the warm seasons.

The flowers, produce and trees with their fruits and other products found on the properties were of a complementary fashion. Both had some similar and yet on the extremities different harvests were evident. This trading back and forth through the hole in the fence produced useful and prosperous for both estates. The humans that lived in these estates also differed in their approach to going back and forth; but understandings and agreements had been mutually made. Business coupled with friendships followed and many recreative sporty activities were enjoyed with strong competition from both sides.

The larger animals did not use the hole in the fence as there were fence restrictions as to how they would be received. The coyotes and the wolves were considered a nuisance and disturbers of the congenial atmosphere that existed between the two estates and were watched closely. The cats were the ones always on patrol, although at the one estate, the cats were more sociable than at the other. These had turned nasty lately keeping a keen eye control on all who passed through the hole, having been mandated by the estate management to watch, especially for the birds that flew south over the hedge.

This had gone on for years and the birds who did not face the obstacles of the fence also had enjoyed a migrating seasonal enjoyment of both estates. In fact, many of the newly discovered ways of using the land by all concerned had been enhanced by the two-way traffic over and through the fence over time.

There had been moments of great joy when many flocked to either side during times of celebrations and special events. But also, when tragedy struck there was the common grief and outrage carried and helped by either side. Many efforts to increase the wellbeing of either side was strongly encouraged and given much growth.

So, it has been for hundreds of years.

But lately a dark cloud had formed over the one property, somehow the light of the sun was different. Shadows were starting to form, and the property’s amenities were being changed from their former natural self. It was difficult for the one side to now navigate their way after crossing the hole in the fence. It was not a straightforward path. The feel and layout of the more populated estate now felt different. As one travelled along, it felt like a moist mist had descended in the valleys and creeks, blocking distant views of the environment. Rural scenes seemed twisted and skewed a bit. In fact, even the border cats also had become nastier.

Was that due to the new management that had been appointed to oversee the most populated side? Maybe………….?

There was even talk that all crossings now had to be by ‘request of entrance’ showing destination intent and lifestyle compliance. For instance, all the odd coloured chipmunks could no longer cross without being first scrutinized and registered by the strong cats that lived on the estate.

Fear had arisen and many in the smaller animal communities decided that the crossing through the fence was becoming a dangerous, obnoxious affair not worth it. Some had even suggested a ‘paws up’ attitude.

There was much talk about closing the hole in the fence. Some agreed for a big rock to be placed in the hole, others suggested just letting it grow shut by natural obstructions of shrubs and trees. Still others mused about amalgamation of the two estates, by force even. Others said: Let travel elsewhere.

Many began wondered where this was all going to end.

Some of the familiar ways and paths in the other estate had changed and many fine avenues had suddenly come to a dead end. It also seemed that much of the busy daily activity they encountered reshaped whole neighbourhoods and familiar rest spots. Why even a few old road signs had been changed, with some even pointing in the wrong direction. Huge banners had appeared trumping pictures of leaders and important events. There was also work being done underground and exported to far away places but it had been hard to determine when and how; accompanied with many confusing words and messages. Building appeared to housed some animals for a closer look.

Up to now all had been so lovely and mutually enriching for both sides for so long. But now who knew where you would land as you crossed through the hole in the fence. It was like placing your hand into a dark hole not knowing what you could encounter. Why, sometimes you could smell a stench was starting to drift through the hole and into the next estate. Some of the animals became very sad because they had their family history and life’s memories on both sides.

Some had business connections and agreements to honour but sudden muddled pronouncements changed all in mid course.

Oh, what was to become of it all…

There was one animal however, who was very wise and had been able to gather an overview of the whole situation. Its sharp hearing allowed it to follow the events daily and listen to the whispered conversations of the animals from far away. This was the Snow Owl.

Although the Snow Owl lived in the extreme north of the one estate, there had been occasions that it needed to fly southward and, on those occasions, had seen what was happening to its northern habitat for years already. And so, with its sharp ears and ancient wisdom it had surmised that the direction of the two estates was quickly drifting them further apart. The commonsensical attitudes that had made them both strong and vibrant was diminishing in the larger one and the ingenuity it once had was turning back to old ways and old ideas.

Grand generosity once displayed, had become a ‘look at us’ myopic scene with boisterous calls of power (‘you owe us’) and put-downs of others. They said: ‘Old ideas were not what was needed in a compressed close relationship for the 21st Century’s well-being of all creatures’ in both estates. There was now a new mode: ‘Self-interest aggrandization’ with ‘virtue signaling’; we are in it for ourselves. But ‘navel gazing’ never discovered sharing new ideas. It was just repeating the same mistakes over and over again; yet expecting a different outcome. Trust in the familiar things was fading away.

The Snow Owl knew from recent experience and knowledge passed on from generation to generation, that this was a sign of danger. He had seen it happen to his own environment. Climate changes caused by overuse and neglect, made what used to be wide open flat land good for hunting, had now become overgrown with vegetation, hampering far-off game sightings and obstructing the gathering of food and roughing up the habitat. It became harder to find the necessities of life and so he had to fly longer distances and explore new unknown vistas to gather supplies. Going to far distances also produced greater risks and dangers. He knew that to turn it back to a balanced state would require much wisdom and effort. The order of things as they should be, were bent and all smooth curves were coming out of control. God’s established creation-truth rules as to how it should be, would now be interfered with, erased, stepped over, crashed and forever disappear.

Soon that line of truth in the sand could snap, break, making a clear cut. No going back; an unknown future. All then, would become dark with no return. The hole in the fence would become a vacuum and suck everyone and everything into its deep sewer pit, never to be seen or heard.

The far away wolves, coyotes, black striped cats with their nasty friends were smelling the coming decay and decided to take a cautious look………….

They had plans and were gathering for the breakup that was sure to follow………….

JS July 15, 2026

Featured Picture is AI generated

April 23, 2026

Today is the morning after the birth of my 3^rd great grandson Francis Peter and the day when in 90 more mornings I will attend the age of 85. A milestone for my family, although my dad’s oldest sister lived into her high nineties.

This morning arrived bright and sunny and my usual aches and pains as I wake and placed my feet on the floor, made me wonder if I would make it through the day.

The song of the little wren that spends the summer in my backyard could be heard and a number of birds were already at the feeder. The thunderstorm and the heavy rainfall of a few hours before that had awakened me left their drops on the just sprouting out of daffodils and tulips now growing cheerfully in the garden. The grass had turned from its wintery somberness to bright lush green waiting for its first grooming. The ‘world is turning as it should’ someone once said. Thank God!

I dressed and proceeded with a couple of exercises, I had discovered on the net, to ease the pain in my right hip. It works for me. I changed the calendar to the 23^rd of April, started the water for the morning tea and sat down to contemplate the day. A bike ride maybe, along the Brantford Trail with my friend. Sometimes I would read from Scripture, usually from the book of Psalms, but this morning I scoured through the news feeds on my ipad.

Lately the events of the day and past weeks had left me with discouraging thoughts in my mind. Never before is there so much (uncertainty) irritation and disrespect in the world as there is today. In the past few years even during the Covid pandemic we have seen the death of thousands of people and with the new administration south of us making war, either with words or weapons or weaponing words it usually turns into an everyday (wild) mush of issues. Seems we are back in that fearful time a 100 years ago, nothing has changed.

I remember as a teenager in the 50s the scary notion that we could face nuclear annihilation as part of the cold war between Russia and the West. It was not nice, always in the background of our thoughts and drilled into us by statements and innuendos. So what has changed today? More threats and economic struggles as to who is the ‘best in the schoolyards’ of the world. Every ‘Tom, Dick and Harry’ (maybe that should be ‘Donald, Heather and Eliana’) now has a soap box podcast to sound forth their expertise as to who is right or wrong or who can tell the future events better then all the others. Ridicules, put downs, trollings, ghosting, memes, sacrilege (mainly Christian) jokes are no longer part of the evening after 11 TV shows but are now the media broadcasts of major figures (read ‘political’) in the world. Take the announcements on social media for threatening and trolling nations and leaders not unlike the ‘circus has come to town’ events. Imagine in 1940 announcements made via media newspaper ads about the ‘Final Solution’ crisis, the death of Communism in the 1990s or the experienced Ukrainian 2022/Gaza October 2023 events and all their terrible humanitarian consequences. Where can we find solid reasoning and firm ground?

Belligerent leaders are a dime a dozen and avoiding truth (yes, no) answers are the chosen replies of the political and the elite sexual deviants. Me too? no kidding!

Economic word wars have reached inside the pocket books of many families with the silly rhetoric about ‘wines and spirits’ together with common economic doubts, inflation and splits disagreements reaching deep into our neighbour’s homes and families, putting us all on edge. What about the ‘save our children’ campaigns and educational AI empires. Can we trust what we see and instinctively have known for ages? Were our grandparents mistaking about who they were and what they thought was right for their time?

In our church organization, we too have found unease, questions are being raised about how narrow we should interpret the instruction and encouragements found in Scripture. Some say you need to use the long view mixed with cultural reality; others prefer the precise factual instruction that says: ‘You shall not’. Perhaps it would be better for each to go their own way, but then we will have another split, number #391 in the Christian church. Can we still sing the song ‘They will know we are Christians by our love’ ? Does the Bible truth still discipline us or are we disciplining the truth. God’s word of grace and providence forever, no matter what? Where has the lesson about the greatest commandment gone?

By now you can see this has become a rant, a vent!

The recent pictures sent by the astronauts on the ‘Artimus’ (safe, sound) flight around the moon sure shows us that we are an unique life form in the universe and very special. Just the sight of the earth as photographed now and back in 1969, shows how precious we are in the scheme of the planets we know. Most are dull and appear lifeless and yet the earth shows up as a precious blue marble full of possibilities and assurance that there must be a God who is the giver of all good things. After all the bombings, the disasters, the fires and destructions, it shines out like a precious bright-blue jewel hanging in its orbit where winter and summer in seasons designated by sun and moon continues with life and renewal each and everyday. The evidence of God’s provisional care since time began. (where does our food come from?) The antidote to the thought expressed in the book of Psalms #14 ‘the fool says in his heart there is no God’.

The Heidelberg Catechism (that old yet still very relevant outline of the secret of our existence) in Lord’s Day #10 still asks the Christian’s vital question of the day and gives us the answer: Question: What do you understand by the providence of God? Answer: God’s providence is His almighty and ever present power, whereby, as with His hand, He still upholds heaven and earth and all creatures, and so governs them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, food and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, indeed, all things, come not by chance but by His fatherly hand.

Question: What does it benefit us to know that God has created all things and still upholds them by His providence? Answer: We can be patient in adversity, thankful in prosperity, and with a view to the future we can have a firm confidence in our faithful God and Father that no creature shall separate us from His love; for all creatures are so completely in His hand that without His will they cannot so much as move.

So how then shall we live the day? Someone once said ‘carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero, but the Christian will say: ‘Carpe diem’ but never forget ‘mementos mori’. There is more to your life than what the world presents.

A Song that spreads the hope of life: ‘ if you but trust in God to guide you‘

God’s Peace be with you!

JS April 23, 2026

Featured Picture: Earthset Image Credit: NASA 1 Text: Keighley Rockcliffe (NASA GSFC, UMBC CSST, CRESST II

BY THE NUMBER

(I wrote about this as being older, I find that community life is now, in the 21^st Century, far more complex than ever before and you need to be computer smart – someone said: that the New York Times week-end edition contains more information than a 17^th century person would have gained in a life-time!) – the above featured picture: generated by AI

Recently I received a letter from CIRO* ^{(Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization)} informing me that there had been a cyber security attack/breach on their records and to give me some protection against possible future attempts (scamming or misuse of my info), they offered two (2) years of personal identity and financial assurance/insurance via Equifax**. Of course, for that I had to register as an Equifax customer (who somehow or other already knew about me – how did that happen?).

Now as a small investor I was not aware that my name was located anywhere at the CIRO office. Checking through however, I searched and noted (never gave it any attention before!) that my personal Mutual Fund advisor’s connected Capital funds firm is a member of CIRO (it is on their letter head). In fact, to be a legitimate certified financial company (selling stock, mutual funds etc) they need/must adhere to the coded investment industry common strict rules, managed as members of CIRO, a financial watchdog (for the small and big investors) in Canada. Doing this search made me think, what else is there that I do not know about who has my (financial) records?

Let’s go back to 1960. After high school graduation, as my first job, I was a bank employee. In the branch I served at, we had a couple of thousand customer accounts, Savings, Personal Checking and Business Current accounts. Ordinary people could walk into the bank and open an account; state your name and address, maybe a phone number and employer, sometimes to get it right we would ask for ID and so after getting a signature on the ‘account detail card’ and assigned a number, you had your bank account. The deposit(s) and withdrawals were noted in a little book and you were now our customer. In future dealings you would ‘personally’ attend at the branch, present your book and conduct your business. Cash was king, but sometimes you could write cheques. If you had your pass-book, you could access your account and your signature would (could) be compared by the teller to the bank’s records. Records were only maintained at the branch and locked in the vault at the end of the day. Ok simple and safe.

Nowadays, we do things over the internet. No signatures are compared; no personal attendance necessary and the whole world is your playing/investing/banking field. Wow, is that an eye opener for everyone! And I mean everyone in the world, even the bad guys. Yes, especially the bad guys!

Why, even yesterday morning at 8:15 AM (at breakfast) I received a call with a Montreal code of 613, from a person with a very rapid foreign accent telling me that there had been suspicious ‘Activity From My IP Address’ on my internet connection that could expose me to bad issues; but he could help. I asked him for details: first I asked him what his phone area code was, he said Montreal and that fit with the number I saw on my phone screen, then he gave me my name, address, postal code and IP supplier. I knew at that point that this was a scam because he said the wrong IP (Internet Provider). I told him that he was a scammer and politely said good-bye and hung up. Now how did he know all these things about me? 21st Century digital information know-how! My information is like a giant billboard hanging in the sky!

I say this because when I checked at Equifax I noticed (after I opened my Equifax account to obtain CIRO protection) that I had already been counted and IDed with a number. This number 854 tells the world that I am an ‘excellent’ person. Good to deal with and have considerable means to conduct commerce in the world. It even speaks to my honesty and status with corroborating info of my financial and personal details. Again, like a giant billboard in the sky! I am trustworthy because I have (am) a number in the range of ‘good guys and girls’. This number now becomes my ID and can be accessed by anyone.

Come back with me to 1975. I am still a banker and the bank has introduced a new system for customer lending. Your personal information has now become a sum of scored numbers, every bit of your info is now worth so many points. The score goes up if you have lived at your present address many years, it goes up if you have been employed many years, your salary range determines your score, your occupation determines your score, your present borrowings determines (or decreases) your score, if your wife works determines your score, if you have 2 or less children it increases your score, but 3 or more children it decreases your score and at 5 or more**** gets you a big nothing, zero! Why? the sum of this scoring will, they said, help identify loan risks and anyone below the sum of 200 magic cut-off points, would not be in the bank’s interest to deal with. The business of the branch and its customer make up, is now all reflected in scores, even to the evaluation of the bank manager’s judgement. They said, you could determine future management issues and lending risks by info given and credit dispersed on the basis of customer scores.

Since then, this idea of scoring is now the norm. It is done on all financial transactions, job evaluations, credit card limits, insurance and every other type of interaction between people and organizations. And I know from my banking experience that scoring can be helpful, don’t get me wrong.

But, how do you feel being reduced to a number? To be known by your number. Not you personally but your number. Well?

The minimum score necessary to get a credit card in Canada is set at 660. However you can get a ‘Neo Secured Mastercard’ *** if your score is between 330 and 559. A score of 560 is a fair credit risk, a 660 is good, 720 very good and 760 and above excellent. So, there you have it, we are all just numbers. A low score also gets you a higher loan interest charge, as high as 31%. And at the suggested monthly payment it will go on forever!

Now today, more of our daily routines are marked by computers; and as you know they run on numbers. Credit scores can easily be inserted into the ‘value’ of you. Your habits, your health, job accomplishments, your car driving record, your doctor visits, your contacts with the law, your attachments to organizations, your memberships, your health, your voting habits, your nationality, your trips abroad and to where, your living habits, your loan repayment schedules, can all be measured in numbers. The list is endless. Unless you live in a cave on a far away world, every interaction in this world is now recorded, scored, studied and dissected as to your value. Not just yours but businesses, organizations and even nations have a number. Everything is a number. And the most upsetting is that this is valuable and is sold and transported everywhere, top info for a lot of actions and dealings in the whole world. Now AI can determine yours and my future. Now that can be in a ‘blitz’ of a second. Scary isn’t it?

Ancient truth stories tell many wonderful revealing things. One is, there is nothing new ‘under the sun’. What has been, now is and will be again. It is the way of life!

Consider this tale: At a state celebration banquet held in Babylon by the great king Belshazzar (553 BC) attended by thousands of his officials and their wives; a mysterious hand suddenly appears writing on the wall. It writes: “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN.” ‘You have been weighed (counted) and found wanting!’ This panicked the king and all his officials. And the tale goes on: that very night, under the cloak of darkness, Belshazzar, the Chaldean king of Babylonia, was killed. Then Darius the Mede, in his 62nd year, gained control of the kingdom.+

Is this, what all of this number taking will get us in the end? Counting the cards we hold? Conflict, jealousy, domination, tyranny, war………….the strong (high scores) will always win?

Yeah, I know, why be so pessimistic?

I guess, I want to make sure you know that our lives are complex and dangerous…………and to tell you the truth, I really wrote this to warn myself and to be safe and not get scammed into trouble…….++ life is precious! Always ask that stupid question: Why?…….and if the answer is something you do not understand, ask someone you trust for advice……things and people, are not what they appear to be……..but together we are stronger!

Jesus said: “Blessed are the poor, the meek, the humble, the mournful, the peacemakers, the merciful, the honest and those that have pure motives; yes especially those with true empathy; only those with all these human qualities are the ones that will inherit the earth and will see the kingdom of God” (Gospel of Matthew chapter 5)

Peace be with you!

JS January 28^th, 2026

According to my MS Copilot search: CIRO, short for the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization, is Canada’s national self-regulatory body that oversees both investment and mutual fund dealers. It was formed as the successor to the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA), with the goal of protecting investors and upholding the integrity of Canada’s capital markets. By bringing together the regulatory duties of these two organizations, CIRO plays a key role in ensuring compliance and maintaining market standards.

**Also my other search: Equifax Canada Inc is one of two credit bureaus which are private companies in Canada, that (the other being TransUnion Canada) collect, store, and share information about how Canadians use credit.

***if you borrow on your card you may be charged up to 31% interest, a beastly amount that may never be repaid, all based on your score.

**** As a bank employee I could borrow at special low bank rates. I bought a new car and borrowed from the bank. My score was just under 200 because I had 5 children. 2 children would have been better and would have scored me above the 200. By my low score I was a ‘bad risk’. Another example: As bank manager, I authorized a small loan (before credit cards) to a man with 7 children to help them over a financial crunch, (I think it was a car repair), and his score was not quite 200. The bank evaluation team criticized the loan (and my knowing of my customers) and pointed out that 7 children would be a disaster. I in turn argued that he loved his family and would do anything to meet his responsibilities.

+See: Book of the prophet Daniel chapter 5 verse 25 to 28 Tr. the Voice-from biblegateway.com

++ received another call this morning about my IP connection. (Must be the SCAM of the month series)

@ also see news item about foreign scammers activity on BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2gdrvy9gjo

@ Featured picture generated by AI

Suddenly….

Christmas 2025: to the shepherds first.

The ‘Sirocco’ hot winds swooping in from the Southeast the day before yesterday, had waned and died down, and to the day following, gave rise to a brilliant sun. Its beams filtering through the remaining sand dust that still hung in the air. It had been hot and the walls of the houses in the little town of Bethlehem baked warm to the touch. As evening came and twilight fell, a soft breeze from the coast seemed like a breath of fresh air for man and beast alike.

The evening shadows saw people coming out of their homes and with busyness in the receding light attend to the tasks that they had put-off because of the heat. Look, a group of shepherds were making their way to the fields of Ephrata coming to take the night shift guarding the sheep. Their lunch packs strapped to their belts along with the staff and rod. Just another night of watching the sheep and making sure they were fed and bedded down for comfort and safety from prowling beasts of the night.

After securing their flocks, the shepherds gathered to discuss their day and the big events of their time. Many travellers had come to Bethlehem in the last week or so because the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, had issued a decree to conduct a census for determining the taxing of each citizen, after all somebody had to pay for the well-being of the magnificent Roman Empire and the protection it granted to all who lived within their conquered borders. Bethlehem too was part of this vast Empire and it must do its share.

So sitting together, they grumbled about the heavy hand of their new masters and the loss of independence. Where was the pride of Judea? The lion of the Kingdom of David? Had God forgotten his promises? Did He forget about his word conveyed to them through the prophet, that they will inherit the land? Forever? and enjoy each their own possession in peace and with justice? Oh, how long ago was it spoken with Godly pride by their local hero, the prophet Micah from Moresheth in Judea, a commoner among his people, these words: “God shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; and they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid. But look at you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”

As they were so seated and talked together, suddenly, an angel appeared through the filtering darkness, bright glorious light, right before them, shocking! They were afraid. But the angel said clearly: “Don’t be afraid! Listen! I bring good news, news of great joy, news that will affect all people everywhere. Today, in the city of David, a Liberator has been born for you! He is the promised Anointed One, the Supreme Authority! You will know you have found Him when you see a baby, wrapped in a blanket, lying in a feeding trough.”At that moment, the first heavenly messenger was joined by thousands of other messengers—a vast heavenly choir. They praised God in song, a mighty chorus: “To the highest heights of the universe, glory to God! And on earth, peace among all people who bring pleasure to God!”

Then…………….all disappeared, but the shepherds looked at each other, speaking all at once: buzzing with conversation.

Did you see that! Wow! Let’s rush down to Bethlehem right now! Let’s see what’s happening! Let’s experience what the angel has told us about! Come on!

So without a further thought, they ran into town, and after much seeking eventually found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the feeding trough.

Now having found this lowly place after being turned away by the local inn, Mary and Joseph noticed the shepherds stepping through the doorway, welcomed them and showed their little baby boy wrapped in a blanket of swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. This… is… Jesus, they said.

The shepherds came closer and saw the baby, told what they had seen and heard, a joy filled their hearts. “Peace on earth, the angel had said to all who God is pleased with.” A special heavenly message. Mary looking at Joseph, took note and pondered all that was happening, treasuring the memory of each moment deep in her heart. Is this not, what the angel had told her: “Listen, you are going to become pregnant. You will have a son, and you must name Him ‘Savior,’ Jesus. He will become the greatest among men and will be known as the Son of the Highest God. God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David, and He will reign over the covenant family of Jacob forever.”

Then the shepherds left and returned to their flocks, praising God for what they had seen and heard, telling all who would listen to the wonderful events, how it all had unfolded just as the heavenly messenger had predicted. A glorious experience with promise, not soon to be forgotten.

As the prophet Isaiah had said: “Hope of all hopes, dream of our dreams, a child is born, sweet-breathed; a son is given to us: a living gift. And even now, with tiny features and dewy hair, He is great. The power of leadership, and the weight of authority, will rest on His shoulders. His name? His name we’ll know in many ways— He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Dear Father everlasting, ever-present never-failing, Master of Wholeness, Prince of Peace.”

Remember all these events occurred SUDDENLY………. and His return will again happen suddenly!

May this Prince of Peace be your champion and Saviour, also this Christmas 2025.

Sing the Hymn:

Angels, from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story, Now proclaim Messiah's birth:

Shepherds, in the fields abiding, Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing, Yonder shines the infant light:

Though an infant now we view him, He shall fill his Father's throne,
Gather all the nations to him; Every knee shall then bow down:

All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising, To th'eternal Three in One:

Refrain: 2x - Come and worship, Come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Note: Bible texts taken from the translation: ‘The Voice’ – The hymn: ‘Angels from the Realms of Glory’, taken from an old French hymn, was composed by James Montgomery 1816-1819.

Featured image generated by AI

JS December 1, 2025

The King was angry*

It seems that today there are still leaders and others who act as if we are still in the ‘absolute right’ of Kings historic era. You know the ones that I am referring to. Looking back into history we see that the ‘heart of man’ (Prophesy of Jeremiah chapter 17 verse 9) for worldly greatness has not changed one bit!

Take for instance the one described years ago in Biblical Scriptural history by the prophet Jeremiah and Daniel about king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, a giant empire. He considered himself almost a god.

First: In the book of prophecies by Jeremiah (chapter 51) the prophet describes his concerns about Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. After the fall of Jerusalem, the captivity of Israel, now in Babylon by king Nebuchadnezzar, Jeremiah says: “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has devoured us, (‘squeezed the life out of us’ – Tr. the Voice -) he has thrown us into confusion, he has made us an empty jar. Like a serpent he has swallowed us and filled his stomach with our delicacies, and then has spewed (‘he belched’ – Tr. the Message) us out.” (NIV)

Second: Remember the story of that large gigantic idol of gold, – huge, sixty cubits high (90 feet) and six cubits wide – , that the King had built on the plain of Dura and everyone in his kingdom was instructed to bow down to the idol and on refusal to comply would be subject to punishment of death. The ego of the King was large and over the top, as we would say. And even after he had that dream of that other idol, where he was the head that suffered a crushing defeat by the stone rolled from no human hand. He should have known better. But when he spotted some persons (his own officials) who had not bowed before the statue, his anger, through his pride, got the best of him and he ordered them to be thrown into the hot fiery furnace he had build anticipating someone might even dare to defy his command to bow down. Read the book of Daniel and see how that turned out.

Yet the angry king, later became a conflicted ally. (book of Daniel chapter 3 and especially the ending of chapter 4)

Funny how many of the events described by early historic events (stories) continue to go back to and spring from the same motives and wind up with the same results. The vainness in the hearts of all of us. Remember the story of the King without his clothes? And the many stories of empires and kings coming and going.

What about today? We know that empires and kings do fall, disappear and are conquered by others who also want to be great. Have we learned anything? As the song ‘Where have all the flowers gone’ tells: ‘when will we ever learn………’

Just a thought……………..

Be humble…………..

see RCI-CBC news October 24, 2025 – ‘Anti-tariff ad that angered Trump…..’
featured picture AI generated based on content of story

JS November 22, 2025

The Larks still bravely singing fly…….

Although it snowed the day before, we attended the Remembrance service yesterday near our house with friends, walked on the snowy sidewalk and joined others who gathered and watched as the usual 11 o’clock events took place; the presenting of the flags by the veterans from the local Legion and the sounding of the trumpet for the 2 minutes of silence.

A fair crowd of assorted neighbours had already gathered, a flag delegation of veterans; (colour party) there were even school children who would take part in the proceedings.

At precisely 11 o’clock, we heard the first call, the sounding of the “Last Post” by the trumpeter which signals the last duty of enlisted soldiers at the end of day. During this call the Canadian flag was lowered and a time of complete silence followed for the 2 minutes. A time for all those in attendance to reflect on the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for their country and for freedom.

I find it always hard to reflect, because none of my family served or were lost in a conflict event defending truth and peace in a time of war. That said however, I do remember the events surrounding our liberation from German occupation during World WarII in April 1945. Although I was only just shy of 4 years old, the events of that weekend are very vivid in my thoughts. The Canadian Army had advanced far enough into Northern part of the Netherlands to take on the Germans in the city of Groningen where I lived with my family. We were hiding in the neighbour’s cellar space under the stairs and during a lull in the fighting were allowed upstairs into the living room and crossing the hall we noticed a young soldier propped up on a chair. His posture indicated he had been wounded. My mother remarked on it later and said that he would probably die. This is often the tone of the reflections I recall. For a young boy this was just news but now that I am older this scene packs a lot of things that are repeated time and time again during a time of war.

How did he become involved with the army? Did he have his parents’ blessings in volunteering during a time of hostilities? Was he excited to join others to go overseas? Who were is buddies? What events had he witnessed already in the last few months? Did he write letters to his loved ones? What did he tell them? Will he make it through and be OK? How old was he? If he returned home did he talk about his tour of duty and the happenings he experienced? Questions we are now slowly hearing through writings in books and articles. For some of them recalling these memories are just too hard.

I also think about those who resisted the enemy and fought silently and under cover in their local communities, harassing the occupying enemy and protecting the ones that were fingered for expulsion or removal. Like the story my mother told me about the young ‘underground’ fighter (‘onderduiker’) who was to lodge at our house that night in 1944 but said that he felt safe enough to go to his parents’ home. When he arrived, they were waiting for him and it cost him his life.

What sorrows and despairs are, even today, experienced by those living with war and conflict. Since the two World Wars there have been many global international events, Korea, Egypt, Rwanda, Iraq and Afghanistan, Yugoslavia, Sudan, Ukraine, Middle East not to speak of local misdeeds and violence in our own Canadian communities. When will the clash among humans ever end?

Who cannot shed a tear during that emotional scene in the movie: “Saving Private Ryan” where a mother is washing dishes in her kitchen, sees a gray car coming up the drive and when she fully realizes the (bad) news it brings, how when the Sergeant and the Pastor step from the car, she knows, yes, she knows and collapses on the porch of her home, for this was what she dreaded. The news will be bad. That captures what it is like for those who lose a loved one(s) in wartime.

Our National Silver Cross (first authorized on December 1, 1919) mother for this year’s event in Ottawa was Mrs. Nancy Payne from Lansdowne, ON, who lost her son Corporal Randy Payne (age 33) in Afghanistan in April 2006. She too received that phone call in the middle of the night. A ringing phone in the night usually frightens us all and the one we all hope to never have to answer.

Soon as the two minutes are up, the bugler’s “Rouse”, the wake-up call, sounds and we are caught back to the reality of the day and our presence at the event.

We then sing the Royal anthem: ‘God save our Gracious King’ and instead of one stanza we also sing the 2^nd which I did not know by heart but sounds like this: ‘Thy choicest gifts in store, On him be pleased to pour; Long may he reign. May he defend our laws, And ever give us cause, To sing with heart and voice, God save the King!’ A prayer really.

We will hear the now familiar words from the poem, “For the Fallen”, the 4^th verse: ‘They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them’. (by Laurence Binyon, an English poet and first printed in ‘The Times’ on 21 September 1914.)

A prayer is then offered by a Chaplain of a local Christian church. For us that meant the priest of the local Catholic Church, Father Thomas, prayed for the military service personnel and their families with the earnest request of God to cease all wars and to invite God’s spirit to enter our hearts to seek for peaceful solutions to our never-ending issues. The prayer was concluded with ‘in Jesus name’ as, may this prayer be heard for our thanks and petitions to the King of Kings in the heavenly realms.

After comes the introduction of the local government and special community representatives and the laying of the wreaths by those representatives and local organizations including children from two local Christian Schools. This I found interesting that the schools are educating the children to remember and not forget the bravery of these sacrifices for our peace and freedom in our beautiful Canada. The true north, strong and free.

It also made me think that we immigrants from a foreign land, the Netherlands, are not always actively and visibly present at ceremonies like these although some of us older ones still have the memories of a land wasted and harassed by an enemy for five years were liberated by young Canadians who in the words of one we know now buried at Holten War Cemetery said: ‘I want to serve so that I can participate in the liberation of my grand-parents.’ May he and others rest in peace.

There had been a large crowd this year and partly I think because of the political situation in the world largely driven by the past year’s events and in the face of new concerns, for some in Canada, by our powerful neighbour to the South. This has brought us renewed caution and at times reactions of distrust and deep hurts of friendships gone wrong. There is a sense that past values and alliances are being undermined and discarded.

May we ever be on guard (call out, resist all tyranny) and be wise enough to know where our loyalties, our duty and sense of love for our neighbours must be placed.

Jesus words to one of his disciples on drawing his sword, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 26 verse 52 still ring true today: “Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.” Tr NIV

JS November 12, 2025

PEACE be with You!

feature picture: Monument at Vimy Ridge, France – depicts the figure as “Canada Mourning Her Fallen Sons” or “Canada Bereft” dedicated July 26, 1936 – it took 11 years to built designed by: Walter Allward and Frederick Chapman Clemesha.
Title of this blog is taken from John McCrea’s poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ …that mark our place; and in the sky the larks, still bravely singing, fly scarce heard amid the guns below…..
The sword was drawn by a disciple to protect Jesus from those who came to capture him, in the garden of ‘Gethsemane’ the night before he was condemned and crucified.

Note: I know the circumstances and actions resulting from committed community crime is not to be compared with bravely going to war to defend the decency of moral and lawful peaceful people and nations but nevertheless the victims and families who suffer the loss of a loved ones because of these evil actions of those who practice their criminal life style in the midst of our citizens without regard of conscience is just as devastating. Just think of that recent event in downtown Hamilton (July 11, 2025 -Story by CBC/Radio-Canada) where an innocent by-stander was killed at a bus-stop, as a scooter rider fired discriminately into a group of targeted gang members. Or what about the recent killing of a father in a house invasion event (Nov12, 2025 – Vaughan, ON)

Ora et Labora

Today is Labour Day (September 1, 2025) and as I sat down to read the news this morning I was reminded of the Sermon pastor John preached yesterday where he highlighted the phrase ‘Ora et Labora’ – ‘Pray and Work’. He was preaching on the book of Nehemiah and the effort in the rebuilding of the city Jerusalem and its Temple. The Jews after having been captured (B.C. 587) into bondage under Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon received their permission grant from Cyrus the Great, King of Persia (Persia had defeated Babylon in BC 539) to return to the land of Palestine (B.C.538) if they so wished. On top of that he also returned to them all the vessels and other objects Nebuchadnezzar had taken away. Anyway the sermon was about everyone from the important to the common, working together as a dedicated crew rebuilding the city. Nehemiah stated that this was the Lord’s work and his blessing would follow. There was also opposition but the work was eventual after some struggles, successful.

‘Ora et Labora’ was the call echo mentioned in the writings of John Calvin but it was also an endorsement and motivator of the early days of church and school building by the early Dutch immigrants of the late 40s and early 50s, when many immigrated to Canada and fulfilled hopes and dreams of community building and prosperity. A vision of Reformed singleness perhaps still alive but waning.

In fact the first ‘icon’ or branding for Hamilton District Christian Highschool (Grade 11 & 12 – 1960 a Grade 11 & 12 class project) incorporated the phrase ‘Ora et Labora’. Since then much has been accomplished. It was always a community togetherness effort supported by what we then called the strength of our ‘Home – School – Church’ vision in a symbol reflected by the Christian Reformed emblem of a triangle with the Christian Cross in the middle. Not seen much anymore and that could be another story……..

Still today is Labour day and this caught my attention. It was a reflection of an article by the past CRC Banner Magazine editor Shiao Chong (written when he was a Campus Minister) republished by Peter Schuurman in his Blog ‘Sensus Divinidatis’ about Campus ministry where Chong argued ‘Campus Ministry’ by a Reformed Christian Missionary needs to be open in presenting the central theme of Scripture and the universal truth of ‘God on the throne’ as a clear message that God is present in ‘All Things’ (also a Reformed student group at McMaster University headed by Dr. Michael Fallon in Hamilton). Just not only dwelling on the Jesus personal relationship commitment but that a ‘360 degree world-view’ (not of the world but in the world) is important in following Jesus, spreading the Good News (Gospel) and being part of God’s community, participating in all creation’s possibilities.

That is why there was so much discussion about Christian political and labour action in the early days of the 50s and 60s. (see CLAC) Labour relations efforts by Christians were fraught with misunderstanding and conflict by the religious, social and legal community of Canada as to what and how, even with the Reformed fellowship.

Today many see the importance again of Union activity as honouring and valuing the labour efforts of the common man in the offices, factories and places of employment in Canada. An article in the New York Times this morning mentions the present USA administration ridding many Federal workers jobs through DOGE actions by cancelling their positions (citing $$ and rules ‘efficiencies’), impacting the rise in unemployment rates but also robbing people of their jobs and jeopardizing the safety and wellbeing of family and the community.

Where is the concern for the worker, the NY Times reporter is asking? No one seems to be speaking up (where is the voice of Union leaders?) for these changes and the affected individuals whose jobs are not in keeping with the goals and visions of the new US political administration efforts to make ‘America great again’. This will also affect world order and Canadian jobs. Recently employees of the Crown Royal bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario are loosing their jobs to the USA. There are others. Uncertain treacherous times are ahead.

Pray for wisdom in negotiating through dealing with new strong and (in)different players for a new world order, also in labour and economic decisions.

‘Ora et Labora’ always! but for sure most of all the ‘Ora’!

JS – September 1, 2025

Photo: the Electric Power Project on Waterfront Beach Trail, Hamilton, Ontario

The Fool and the Third Commandment

On looking up the word Cynicism in the Free dictionary I discovered that it means: ‘An attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others’ or in the Merriam-Webster dictionary: ‘beliefs that people are generally selfish and dishonest’.

Recently I ran across this word Cynicism in an article that Russell Moore wrote in ‘Christianity Today’ (August 20, 2025) entitled: “30 things I have learned from 30 years in ministry”. And Cynicism was one of his things listed that he learned. It made me sit up because recently while reading Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians I felt a shade of Cynicism rise up in me for the way Paul elevated himself while lambasting the Corinthians for their way of living and daily use of the Christian life that Paul had introduced them to on an earlier visit. He reprimanded them strongly that they had completely turned back and mixed their former promiscuous heathen daily practices into their new life in Christ. Sexual immorality, excess drinking and feasting, jealousy competitions among the rich and the poor, arguments about who follows the better way, divisions among the believers groups, not showing compassion for and honouring faith practice differences, ways of conducting the practice of celebrating the Lord’s Supper, no caring love among believers etc. In all this he elevated himself as so much better then they were, saying: I am so much better then you!. It brought up in me a Cynical thought of moral superiority boasting on Paul’s part and that this part of Scripture revelation was just Paul’s rant and not the Word of the Lord. I will get to that thought later but first let me share some of Moore’s 30 things he had learned in 30 years of ministry. These are are worthwhile to note.

They all spoke to me, so indulge me to list but a few, although I am not directly involved in ministry but have lived a life and seen things in my years. I gleaned some of them here because they spoke directly to my own understanding. Here they are:

Hymnody (the exercise of singing and composing hymns) is more important than “Visioning” or “Mission” statements. Hymns seep into broken places and hidden cracks of our faith matters. To replace these hymns of faith with forgettable, ever ephemeral changing music is insane.
Never preach an either/or or a both/and. Both are deadly. Such as ‘Lord or Baal’ or ‘Jesus or mammon’. Or divine providence versus freedom, truth versus love, faith versus obedience, gospel versus justice.
Go with your gut feelings every time.
Complementarian and egalitarian arguments have more in common then you think and can be dangerous and nonsensical.
Youth pastoring is a life-long and ageless exercise.
In ministry you cannot avoid criticism. Decide what criticism you wish to be remembered by, and don’t let it crush you when it comes.
Praying is easier when you do it alone with God.
To have Wisdom means knowing human nature. Reading a good fictional novel will help.
Friendships are important in times of crisis and disappointments.
A ‘worldview’ is exactly what it says. A “world” view. A “Christian world view” is where God takes the lead.
The truth of the slippery slope question is that it will ‘slide’ you in numerous directions and will make you fall.
Remember this: darkness can be overcome always by light.
To buy into Cynicism (and its close ally – skepticism) looks and sounds smart and is easy in a fallen world, if you assume the worst you will mostly be right. But be aware, it is like listening to the devil. Fight like hell against it.

Yes, Cynicism is one of the things that is killing the Christian church today. Some of the saints today are asking: what page of the Bible should we ignore! Sometimes it is disguised as individualism and it is worth a prayerful fight.

All that brings us back to the skeptical thoughts I had lately while reading Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians where in many instances Paul makes himself out as the perfect and great example of virtue to look up and imitate, almost to the point of arrogance especially what we, in today’s spirit of the modern age assume when reading and interpreting various chapters of this letter, like Chapter 11, let alone saying something about Chapter 6 and 7 and 14.

So in a round about way all this brought me to the Book of Psalms number 14 (I have used the Translation called ‘the Voice’ as it is very descriptive in the meaning of the text!)

Psalm 14

For the worship leader. A song of David.

A wicked and foolish man truly believes there is no God.
    They are vile, their sinfulness nauseating to their Creator;
    their actions are soiled and repulsive; every deed is depraved;
    not one of them does good.

²The Eternal leans over from heaven to survey the sons of Adam.
    No one is missed, and no one can hide.
    He (Eternal) searches to see who understands true wisdom,
    who desires to know the True God.

³They all turn their backs, walking their own roads;
they are rancid, leaving a trail of rotten footsteps behind them;
not one of them does good, not even one.

⁴Do the wicked have no clue about what really matters?
They devour my brothers and sisters the way a man eats his dinner.
They ignore the Eternal and don’t call on Him, rejecting His reality and truth.

⁵They shall secretly tremble behind closed doors, hearts beating hard within their chests, knowing that God always avenges the upright.
⁶You laugh at the counsel of the poor, the needy, the troubled who put their trust in God.
You try to take away their only hope, but the Eternal is a strong shelter in the heaviest storm.

In other translations, like the NIV, the first line reads: ‘The fool says in his heart there is no God.’

We believers, usually assume this Psalm talks about the atheists who do not believe God exists or even the agnostics who say they do not know and are unconcerned about God’s existence; but an article I recently read argued that, No! the Bible is never concerned about atheists. The Bible is concerned with idolatry. ‘You shall have no other gods before me or even make a graven image and say that is your God.’ All the first 3 commandments deal with idolatry.

Jordan Peterson says in his book: ”We Who Wrestle with God” that there is still a deeper meaning highlighted by the 3rd commandment “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” The Voice Translation reads: ‘You are not to use My name for your own idle purposes, for the Eternal will punish anyone who treats His name as anything less than sacred.’ Peterson interprets this not simply as a prohibition against casual swearing, but as a warning against idolatry and moral corruption through false virtue.

He argues that taking God’s name in vain includes: invoking divine authority to justify selfish or destructive actions—essentially, claiming moral high ground while pursuing personal gain in modern-day virtue signaling, where people present themselves as morally righteous but without genuine sacrifice, responsibility or integrity. It is just talk and the height of hypocrisy, (sounds familiar?) while pretending moral outrage. Boy, if that is not pressing and sifting the point of the commandment through and through! even more to the point than the answers given to questions 99, 100, 101, and 102 of the Heidelberg Catechism!

Peterson’s book was difficult to read and I was unable to finished it in the reading time allotted by the local Library. Too bad for it was interesting. Maybe I will take it up again later.

But after a quick read of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, in my then skeptical, cynically righteous mood, I realized that the FOOL in Psalm 14 was really me and I was practicing what Jordan Peterson says was now become my issue with the third Commandment: ‘You shall not take the name (all that it contains, projects and embodies) of the LORD in vain with your 21^st Century know it all unrighteous cultural adjusting – we are living in the 21st Century and what in Dutch is called ‘schijnheilig’ – arrogance.’

Well, I think he is right. Don’t you? Lesson learned!

Those of you who are Bible scholars will recognize that I did not complete the above Psalm as read earlier for there is one more verse, verse 7: ‘May a new day, a day of deliverance come for Israel, starting with Zion. When the Eternal breaks the chains of His oppressed people, the family of Jacob will rejoice, and Israel will be delighted.’

The Psalmist never leaves us dangling: All is not lost, for God is faithful. This speaks of the coming of a new Morning Star, a new day dawning, a deliverer and a God – Saviour who will break the chains of bondage and blindness and stupidness and brings delight to His people. Yes, Lord Jesus come!

JS August 23, 2025

_{Featured photo: Lift bridge over Burlington Canal}

Great Lakes Waterfront Trail – South shore of Lake Ontario

It’s a gem!

“In the beginning God created everything, including a strip of beach rising along the south shore of – what the indigenous peoples called: ‘Ontari’io’ – ‘Lake of Shining Waters’ – and God saw that it was good!“

Last Fall 2024 concluded another summer that I was able to bike the Burlington/Hamilton Beach Trail on my e-bike. What a treasure this has become for me. An awesome ‘creation’ gift for all local residents.

This setting of nature, beach and water are an unending delight to the senses for the enjoyment of many local persons and families. The old railroad that used to run along this strip was broken up in 1956 and replaced by paved paths and easily accessible to all. The beaches are clean and well taken care of by both municipalities. This 15-18 km strip stretching from Brant street, Burlington to Grays Road, Stoney Creek is a unsung treasure.

Dorothy Turcotte (1927 – 2017) in her book ‘The Sand Strip’ (1987 Stonehouse Publications) recalls the history of the area and tells how her family spent many happy summers at Burlington Beach, swimming, boating and watching the shipping through the canal that separates Burlington from Hamilton and gives access to Hamilton Bayfront Harbour.

This strip of land, no higher then 10 feet above Lake Ontario waters and approximately one quarter mile wide, was first seen by our Indigenous people. All of this territory stretching the Niagara peninsula and the greater GTA is mutually covered by the ‘Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant’, an agreement between the Iroquois and Ojibway and other tribes. This land is part of the Joseph Brant land grant 1797 (Haldimand Proclamation 1784) and the Treaty Lands of the Toronto Purchase of 1805, between the Lakes Purchase 1792 and other treaties (Treaty 3a and others) made after the American Revolution of 1776 and the early 1800s between the British and the Indigenous peoples (the Mohawks and the Mississaugas of the Credit, whose warriors helped the British in the early Revolutionary US wars and border scrimmages ) and who lived and moved along the shores of Lake Ontario. The city of Burlington with a neighbourhood known as: Tyandaga (named after Thayendanegea Mohawk Chief Joseph Brant 1743-1807) is rich in history from the Anishinaabeg to the Haudenosaunee, – lands spanning from Lake Ontario to the Niagara Escarpment.

This strip of land was first seen by a white man in 1615 when explorer Etienne Brule passed by and later in 1669 by Rene-Robert Cavelier de la Salle who went on to explore the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and later with a Dutch/Belgian priest named Father Hennepin. The strip was formed overtime by water flowing off the escarpment from the cite of what is now the town of Dundas with waves building up a sandbar at Windermere basin and also from the north forming a gap slightly north of the present canal. In 1794 Lieutenant Governor Sir John Graves Simcoe had a building erected at the southern end of the beach called King’s Head but it was destroyed by the Americans in the war of 1812-13. Joseph Brant, the Mohawk chief (he travelled twice to England) built a house in 1802 and lived with his wife Catherine at the north end (near the today’s Joseph Brant hospital site – see the Joseph Brant Museum) having been granted 3,450 acres taking in much of what later was called the village of Wellington Square (Burlington). The Brant house had several owners over the years and in 1900 Mr. A.B. Coleman erected a hotel/Country Club on the property big enough for 300 guests. Rates were as low as $1.50 to $3.00 a room and a dinner special was $1.00 or 65 cents in the Annex. It was quite an attraction with gardens and a country club house. In 1917 the hotel portion was expropriated by the federal government at Mr. Coleman’s distress and used as a military hospital till 1923. Overtime it deteriorated and in 1937 was demolished after vandals set fire to some of the rooms. The Country Club became the Brant Inn and was a popular night spot. The older ones among us will remember the Brant Inn for music bands and dancing in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Because Toronto Niagara traffic flowed through this area the Hon. T.B. McQuesten who was Ontario Minister of Highways in the 1930s considered a tunnel under the canal to ease the flow of traffic across the lift bridge. This never materialized (too bad!) and the Queen Elizabeth Way was opened in 1939 meeting up with Highway #2 at the Burlington Lakeshore Road side. The present canal was built in 1823 and a wooden lighthouse was installed in 1838 with Mr. George Thompson as lighthouse keeper. Sparks from a steamer, the ‘Ranger’, burned down that lighthouse and the keepers house so a new lighthouse was built of stone in 1858.

Further along moving from Burlington’s Spencer Smith Park, we cross the canal via the Lift bridge installed in 1962 and we can view the Hamilton’s industrial lands (Stelco and Dofasco steel makers) Already back to 1826, there have been 5 different moveable bridges located at this site. (bridges were installed for Highway 2 traffic and Hamilton and the North-West Railroad – H&NW railroad crossings) A new through-truss swing-bridge swung by hand was installed for the railway in 1877. A newer electric bridge came later in 1903. In 1952, a Lake boat met the immovable object and destroyed the still lowered roadway bridge. “We didn’t have radio contact back then, and when we went to raise one side of the bridge she didn’t move. Well, we got the other side up, and we thought the boat would swing over and go through the other lane. Well, she didn’t.” The Lake boat, dragged its anchor and blew its whistle furiously, but crumpled the bridge and created huge traffic jams. Thoughts then turned to make plans for a Skyway Bridge high enough for ships to go under. It was opened in 1959 for the QEW expressway (Toronto-Niagara Falls) stretching from Lakeshore Road in Burlington to Woodward Ave past along Eastport drive and Windermere Basin Park and also connecting with the Red Hill Valley Parkway.

An amusement park had operated just south of the bridge till 1978. (I remember taking our kids there with my dad in the 70s) The Royal Hamilton Yacht Club (1891) and several hotels were constructed on the beach at the end of the 1800s. Some of all this lasted into the 1950s with the renown Burlington Brant Inn closing in 1969.

The railway was removed in 1982, and the road then widened to four lanes. The present bridge is a tower drive type, vertical lift movable bridge owned and managed by the Federal Government. The lift span is 116 meters long, 19.8 meters wide, weighs 1995.8 tons, and has a vertical lift of 33.5 meters. A system of machinery, sheaves and wire ropes originating at the towers is used to move the lift span. There is one 150 hp drive motor in each of the two towers to power the machinery and one 150 hp synchro-tie motor in each tower to synchronize the drive motors at each end of the span. The bridge is an important link between the cities of Hamilton and Burlington and is a vehicular alternate to the Burlington Skyway. It operates for ships from roughly mid-March to the end of December each year and provides shipping access between Hamilton Harbour and Lake Ontario.

When the railway was abandoned, the railway bridge was demolished. The Beach Trail was begun and as we cross the bridge we are now in the city of Hamilton. Many fine houses and cottages were built to accommodate guests and summer activities along Van Wagners Beach Road from the late 1800s to the present day. Many people walk to the bridge from the Burlington side to view ship and boat traffic flowing through the canal. The regular tall old light house by the bridge has been vacant for sometime and is waiting to be moved to a better viewable location. The Lake entrance to the canal also has a smaller light house fully equipped with up-to-date electronic gear for monitoring lake traffic, especially as the bridge keeper needs sufficient warning to get it lifted for Lake steamer traffic. Watching the large Lake steamers and leisure boats passing by with the bridge being raised and lowered is a wonderful experience. On the Burlington northside of the bridge facing the Hamilton Bay we see the Canada Centre for Inland Waters building. (600 staff from Environment Canada (EC), the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Canadian Coast Guard, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) There is opportunity to store and launch boats by the bridge Bayside also.

All other activities along the entire beach going south on the Water Front Trail have been fairly consistent over the years, there are some commercial establishments on the Lake side but no entertainment or other hyper retail facilities are allowed. It is basically a residential area (Beach Blvd and Van Wagners Beach Road) with lots of beach front. Some new buildings (townhouses and renewal and renovations of private residences) has been erected in the last 20 years or so which have added to the leisure outdoor escape feeling of the area. The Burlington side used to have numerous cottages facing the Beach but in the last 20 years the City of Burlington has prohibited change of ownerships so that eventually all of the strip will become public access. The only structure that is permanent is the Burlington Skyway Wastewater Treatment Plant on the opposite side of the road.

As we cross the canal, we can follow the road which will run under the Skyway bridge and continues south along the Hamilton Bay side (Eastport Drive) till it meets up with Woodward Ave (before that turn into Windermere Basin Park which is a viewpoint for bird watchers in the Spring and Fall) and take a turn left at the stop-light under the QEW which meets up again with Beach Blvd and turning another right takes you along Van Wagners Beach Road next to the Waterfront Trail.

But lets go back to the Lift bridge, to start our Waterfront Trail tour. Now as we go south (there is good parking and public washroom facilities) we notice a bench with a Bill and Mary Tornton memorial plague: I love what it says. Just a few hundred feet from there is our first site, it is a monument area (Dieppe Veterans Memorial Park) dedicated to the disastrous Dieppe raid of 1942 led by mostly Canadian soldiers. (3,600 were killed and 5,000 taken prisoner). This event is remembered every August 19th with veterans and civic officials attending to remember the fallen and those that bravely fought on the shores of France, mainly to give courage to those in the free world that defeating the Nazis was possible. I have witnessed that ceremony but only a few people attend this mostly forgotten event. This location was picked, as the beach and surrounding area greatly resembled that of the French location.

As we move along the paved path we notice large and small cottages and houses backing on to the trail. Some have wonderful gardens and back yards. The trail is wide enough to have walkers, rollerbladers, skate-boarders and bikers on the trail. (bike speed is limited to 15km) We also notice a plastic walkway to the water has been installed to accommodate people in wheelchairs so they too can easily roll-up to the beach from the trail.

There are many fine cottages and houses to view of all different types. All fronting onto Beach Boulevard from which there are a few Avenues that will get you to the Waterfront Trail. At 5KM point, we notice the buildings of the Bell Cairn School site (1937) now a training facility for the Ontario Ministry of Prisons (Redeemer Christian University occupied this site for a while in the 1980s) Going on from there we pass by a Waymark statue (placed by the Hamilton Harbour Commission in 2003) of children pretending throwing skipping stones on the water. (here we can access Van Wagners Beach Road) Further along we notice the go-cart track still actively used in summer.

Near the 6KM mark is a relatively new building with a small tower outlook and a swimming pool and washroom facilities. (former Lakeland pool) Many a wedding party are seen here as it can accommodate photos opportunities. Also if you look towards the QEW, away from he Lake you will see the water intake pump building for the City of Hamilton Woodward Avenue Water Treatment Facility as it sits at the end of the Red Hill Valley Parkway merging into the QEW. On the Lake side you can see the off-shore intake structure for the Water Works facilities.

Then further a new marker was erected in 2023 that celebrates Hamilton Electric City project (Nikolas Tesla). Hamilton was one of the first cities in Ontario to use Niagara Falls produced electricity to power the lights for the city residents and streets with a power station located at the end Victoria avenue.

At the 6KM (Hamilton Beach) mark we also find the Hutch’s snack-bar/restaurant, always a family favorite; serving up ice cream, fish and chips, hot dogs, burgers and milkshakes since 1946. This is where we as teenagers in the 1950s used to travel on the Hamilton city bus to go swimming, usually not till August, as Lake Ontario waters had warmed sufficiently for us to dare a swim. Here people will gather to make full use of the beach front and is a popular gathering place for Hamiltonians.

Next we pass the ‘Barangas on the Beach’ opened since 1992, acclaimed the ‘Best Waterfront’ patio and Greek restaurant. This is a lovely gathering place for a Lakeside lunch or dinner occasions, always full when the weather is nice. For those sporty enough there is also an opportunity to play beach volley ball at the side of the building. ‘Barangas’ is only open for the summer season.

We have now reached a part called: Confederation Park. Further on, you will see a side trail to your right that crosses the Van Wagner’s road and continues along its right side pass the mini golf (Adventure Village) on the left side and then (before the roads turns to the left) take a sharp right turn that leads you over the QEW foot bridge (East Hamilton Waterfront Link Multi-Use Pedestrian Bridge 2011 – 220 meters long, spanning 12 lanes of QEW traffic) with it sort of hanging tapered unique look, and following it across to the now called Red Hill Valley Trail will get you into East Hamilton streets (Brampton Street) by the Hamilton Public works site and Water facilities. Then if you are brave enough, stay left on the trail that leads besides the Red Hill Valley Parkway and go all the way up the escarpment to come out near Albion Falls and beyond. You could even turn west at this point and follow the Rail Trail to downtown Hamilton, Corktown district (Wellington & Forest Ave)

Going back across the QEW to the Water Front Trail resuming your journey and before you reach the large Wild Waterworks parking lot, turn right and cross a small bridge for a unique visit with an occurrence that took place in the early 1800s. There you will find the ‘War of 1812 Naval Memorial Garden’ remembering fifty-three sailors who lost their lives when their ships, HAMILTON and SCOURGE capsized during a storm in the early morning hours of Sunday, 8th August 1813. The site has rows of markers with the sailors names and their ship positions listed. Another Canadian history lesson.

Getting back to the Waterfront Trail you will see recreational spaces as you approach the Wild Waterworks Park (at 7KM) with its water slides and wave pool. One of the slides is called, as I remember, the ‘Kamikaze’ where I hurt my neck on the way down and realized that is why they called it such, as it surely is fit only for those who ‘dare take excessive risks’! Outside by the Wild Water Park is a huge parking lot with picnic tables, snack bar and washroom facilities. This is a great place for family picnics and I have seen many parents bring their kids and friends here to enjoy the open spaces and have a family dinner or BBQ and take to the beach for a swim. Access to the parking lot and picnic/beach area is FREE!

Next as you pass by the ‘Wild Waterworks’ you can get a glimpse of the pool and the water slides. The Waterworks is a great place to take the kids on a hot summer day it is only open during the summer months and is always well attended.

As we are now past the Wild Waterworks park, we notice a large pond which is fed with water flowing from the escarpment down along the Red Hill Valley to its Lake outlet. Here is an opportunity to sit and watch the swans and other water fowl. Maybe even observe a grey heron standing silently along the beach water waiting for its next meal. We are now near the end of our beach front journey.

As we cross the small foot bridge across the stream, we notice a wide open space on our right side, this is Confederation Beach Park Playground, formerly a camping and trailer facility, now turned into a Cricket pitch, pickle ball courts with new facilities installed, including playground equipment (with Zip line), batting cage and public washroom facilities with accommodation for parking coming through an entrance off the North Service road. Before we turn and take the route around the park we see the end of our Waterfront Trail at Grays road, already we are in Stoney Creek. We have travelled approximately 8KM from the Lift Bridge and canal that divided Burlington and Hamilton.

Of course all along the trail there is opportunity to swim as the beach is (Free) open along the entire route. There are always more sights to explore and I have just listed some of them with a small slice of history. As we now head back to our starting point at the Lift bridge we will have completed a distance 16KM. A great ride for an afternoon!

I believe this area of Hamilton is getting more popular but still underrated and people will drive many miles to enjoy beach activities while we have this treasure right outside our Burlington/Hamilton homes. Get out there and enjoy it.

It’s a GEM!

Looking forward to summer 2025!

Pictures below: left to right starting at top – 1. before the storm; map Water Front Trail; beach – 2. biking around the Bay 2022; Lift bridge & QEW overpass; beach in winter – 3. Burlington side winter beach; harvest moon rising; Lighthouse – 4. Dieppe ceremony; trail; ship under Liftbridge.

JS July 1, 2025

The Zipper Club

Some years ago the city gave us notice that it would be digging up our street. The part of the City where I live is now about 50 years old.

Although the reason for the construction was not that obvious, we could see from all the marking on the street that it would probably be a roadway dig. Because of the pandemic that starting date was a bit delayed but when they started to put up signs and sent notices around, we found out that they planned on laying new waterpipes from one end of the street to the major intersection. Large equipment was brought in and we were told this would take at least 2 summers to complete. Soon the street was full of noise and dust as the asphalt in the middle of the road was cut, removed, dug out and the new pipes inserted with each house water lead-ins connected to the new pipes. All this was well co-ordinated and we had only some short interruptions to our water needs. When I questioned the workers as to why I did not see the old pipes removed, they indicated that was not necessary and this way is easier to just leave the old equipment in the ground. Eventual perhaps another generation of city administrations will need to deal with this.

This construction made me reflect back on my quadruple by pass operation of (2020). In that instance also, the doctors left the old in and provided a by-pass. So the other day I commented to someone who had posted the following on their Facebook: ‘had another cardio check-up; ‘all is well, happy, happy!’ He remarked to me that we are exclusive members of the Zipper club! He has been well for over 18 years!

My own visit to the Cardio surgeon recently also received a good report. The ECG result were good. I am thankful. Praise God!

Funny how some everyday things intersects with the personal experiences we have had in our life journey. My mother-in-law always said: ‘You learn from every deal.’

We have now had the street repaved and the noise, vibrations and dust will soon come to an end.

JS June 24, 2025

The good News for today!

A devotional reading for our Senior Group (OASIS)*

So now and then a song will pop up into my head and I will have no idea where it comes from. It is just there; and it usually sticks around for a while. A lot of them are psalms or hymns especially ones I learned long ago or sung in school or church. Some are a surprise: Wow where did that come from?

So the other morning I got up and immediately Psalm 49 popped into my head. Yes, Psalm 49 is not even a familiar or preached about many times Psalm. If it had been Psalm 42, ‘As the Hart about to falter’ or Psalm 23 ‘the Lord is my Shephard I shall not want’ or even Psalm 139 ‘Search me and know my heart O Lord’ or even more popular majestically sung with gusto Psalm 68 ‘God shall arise and by his might put all his enemies to flight’ or one of the more most popular like Psalms 116 ‘I love the Lord the fount of life and grace’ or maybe even the lovely Psalm 84 ‘O Lord of hosts, O God of grace how lovely is thy holy place’ that all would have been a usually perfect uplifting strong start setting for the day ahead. No, it had to be Psalm 49 in verse-form as composed by Lowell Mason (who wrote over 1600 hymns) and this one set to a sad melody, although in some versions enlivened somewhat by whole and half notes like a little dance tune.

The words came to me quickly: ‘Dust to dust the mortal dies, both the foolish and the wise, none forever can remain, each much leave his hoarded gain. Yet within their hearts they say, that their houses are for aye, that their dwelling places grand; shall for generations stand.’

Where did this come from? What or who planted this in my brain that morning. Did it reflect the news I heard on TV just before bedtime last night? Maybe I should stop doing that. Or is it the Lord’s way of giving me a grounding as to where my life is at. After all, I am over 80. Or was it the news of a son in our near family circle again being out of the house and into whatever. Perhaps it was the last book I read that recounted a highschool friend’s family immigration trials and her life journeys of growing up. Perhaps!

My brother-in-law when he was in the hospital said: Please bring me a Psalter Hymnal instead of a Bible, I get more out of the Hymns and Psalms, as they speak more to my cancerous condition, for if I can sing about my faith anchors, even though some will remind me of bad times, my soul will be at rest. He loved singing.

Tim Keller was a New York pastor wrote a lot of books. One of those was ‘a year’s devotional journey through the Psalms’ entitled: The Songs of Jesus. Yes, I am sure Jesus sang the Psalms as we read him quoting them quite often in the Gospels. Even Psalm 49! Reflected in Jesus’ story of the rich fool! And you know, even though the words are dreary and it has a strong Lamenting subject theme. It is actually quite uptodate knowing the problems we face today in our church, our people and country and even in the world at large. Amid all this, there pops out a gem of an encouraging line in this Psalm one for all the saints who confess that great answer to Question 1;

And that little gem is at line 15 where the Psalmist says: ‘But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.’

And that makes this Psalm worth knowing and singing.

Praise God for his amazing Word. Listen:

Psalm 49 For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

Listen up, everyone!
All you who reside in this world, give an ear!
²Everyone—rich and poor,
young and old, wise and foolish, humble and mighty—
³My mouth will overflow with wisdom; the reflections of my heart will guide you to understand the nature of life.
⁴I will tune my ear to the words of a proverb; to the sounds of a harp, I will reveal my riddle.

⁵Why should I be afraid when dark evils swirl about me, when I am walking among the sin of evildoers—
⁶Those who depend on their own fortunes, who boast about their earthly riches?
⁷One person can’t grant salvation to another or make a payment to the True God for another.
⁸Redeeming a life is costly; no premium is enough, ever enough,
⁹That one’s body might live on forever and never fear the grave’s decay.

¹⁰Everyone knows that even the wisest ones die, perishing together with the foolish and the stupid.
For all die—beggars and kings, fools and wise men.
    Their wealth remains behind for others.
¹¹Although they wish to dwell in fine houses forever, their graves are their real resting places.
    Their homes are for all future generations, yet for a while they have named lands after themselves.
¹²[No one, regardless of how rich or important, can live forever;
    he is just like the animals that perish and decay.

¹³This is the destiny of those foolish souls who have faith only in themselves;
this will be the end of those happy to follow in their ways.

[pause]

¹⁴The fate of fools is the grave, and just like sheep, death will feast on them.
The righteous will rule over them at dawn,
their bodies, their outward forms, rotting in the grave
far away from their great mansions.
¹⁵But God will reach into the grave and save my life from its power. He will fetch me and take me into His eternal house.

[pause]

¹⁶Do not be afraid of the rich and powerful as their prestige and honor grow,
¹⁷For they cannot take anything with them when they die.
Their fame and glory will not follow them into the grave.
¹⁸During their lives, they seek every blessing and advantage because others praise you when you’ve done well.
¹⁹But they will soon join their ancestors, for all of time, among the tombs of the faithless—a place of no light.
²⁰Anyone who is rich or important without understanding is just like the animals that perish and decay.

Translation used for the above Psalm: Biblegateway.com/Psalm49 – Tr. the Voice

Prayer: O Lord; you in your great mercy told us that you will never leave or forsake those who walk with you in sincerity of heart. For from You flows the fountain of our lives.

Bless us now; for we too are sometimes burdened by the cares of the day and jealous of worldly possessions.

Cleanse our hearts. And may your Word be a lamp to our feet and a light on our path.

AMEN

*OASIS = Older Adults Sharing In Service

Featured picture: a view of rural Iowa (2015)

JS June 16, 2025

Road Signs and the Tea Party

On a quiet December 16th, 1773 early in the morning, at the Boston Griffin’s Wharf, they snuck aboard the vessel ‘Dartmouth’ captained by James Hall and threw some of the 114 boxes of British East India Company Tea, overboard into the Boston Harbour. It was a protest that had been simmering for years and now actions were put to the words some had uttered many times before : ‘No taxes without representation!’ The British had charged that the ‘free loading colonies’ would now be forced to pay their fair share. About time. And so there is a push-back. The ‘Boston Tea Party’ an event that became securely fastened to the scenario and conflict of the ‘American Revolutionary War of 1775-76.’

The colonies were protesting their treatment by the British parliament and its King, George III, for his unjust and manipulating Townshend Revenue Act Taxes of 1766-67. Taxes (tariffs) were placed on goods bought by the American businesses in the Colony of Massachusetts and other American Colonies to pay for the expenses that the British encountered in administering and protecting the Colonies. In other words the Colonies were the ‘free loaders’ and even-though they had no voice in the British parliament, never the less, the English found that they deserved to be paid for the governess that they supplied to the people of the Colonies. Some people of these Colonies objected, resisted and threw the taxable (Tea) items into the harbour. Demonstrating their distaste. What better way to make your objections heard and felt. The colonists had had enough! War ensued and many moved and left the country.

Sounds and looks familiar?

Some 250 years later history repeats itself. President Trump decides to institute Tariffs on all imports to the USA. Remember what the posted billboards that began to appear, said: ‘Tariffs are a TAX.‘ Tariffs were needed, Trump said, to pay for the (past) benefits of protection and friendship of and by the great MAGA state. The years of the great rip-off, for free loading beggars was over. A new scenario took shape, the Day of Liberation: to call in the IOUs of US closeness that had benefited the ‘others’ for decades, would now be rectified by them paying their long overdue debts (tariffs) to the US and equalize the score.

But as the saying goes: It takes two to tangle!

Today’s threats of counter actions by the ‘others’ became the news of the day. It consumed the media. The US arbitrary ‘Tariffs’ some as high as 145% and the on and off yo-yo-ing of the timing and percentage penalties caused havoc on the world’s financial and business dealings systems. For sure, all of this would cause business plans to collapse and ‘costs of living’ to rise, with jobs to be lost for those affected, boomeranging even back for the one that raised and began the war of the tariffs in the first place.

The bottom line motive: Money, financial gain, superpower status, fletching the ‘Empire’ muscles, proving who is the greatest, causing the Nations of the world to come and kneel at the feet of the great ‘Colossus’; like the statue ‘Nebuchadnezzar’ raised in the desert for the all peoples and tongues to bow down to and ‘beg a deal.’

O where? is the honest sentiment and the sincere invitation inscribed on that other wonderful statue placed (gifted) on the shores of the New World, some 140 years ago: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempests-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” Is this sentiment now lost, what was embodied by that ‘Lady with the Lamp’, at the welcoming shores of a Nation Proud and Free?

But the ‘beggars‘ struct back and warned to impose their own ‘tariffs’ some even threatening to cut off electricity and other resource necessities, to protest the unwiseness of starting this unnecessary damaging economic war with breaking agreements of past years.

I just have one question: WHY do this?!

So history repeats itself again. In fact we can go back to an Old Testament story (Book of first Kings Chapter 12) about a King who decided a tax increase (advised by ambitious young men) would prove how wise and strong he was. The result was the break-up of his country.

For us Canadians, we have seen an outcry against anything ‘American’. Elbows up Canada! Friendships are broken, trust is gone! Trips to the USA are down, vacations are planned to other points on the Globe, food items imported are left out of the shopping carts in favour of national Canadian products, the ‘Maple Leaf’ is now seen in Grocery stores and other places, governments talk about more home grown produce and locally manufactured items, new national endeavours: pipelines and supply lines from coast to coast, free trade supplies between Provinces, defense initiatives for the North, US is out; ‘Canadian made’ is in! The trade horizons are widened and business relationships are sought with close friends and allies even across the Atlantic. Let’s look out for ourselves first. Free and fair trade with a fickle neighbour? No way!

Meanwhile, the financial markets have dipped and continue to be erratic. People are fearful and yet determined! Where is the just and careful discernment in all of this! Where are the Wise Men?

Book of Proverbs chapter 29, verse 4 (NIV): By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.

JS May 18, 2025

Featured picture: AI generated

Stolpersteine – Stumbling Stones – Struikel Steentjes

May 5, 1945 is the date when we (Dutch immigrants and our children) remember the end of the war in the Netherlands, the end of the German Nazi expansion. The defeat of the ‘Deutschland Uber Alles’ notion of superiority. The end of the evil slaughter of the expendables and innocents, but mostly the slaughter of the Jews and then of course, our celebration of renewed freedom.

In Europe and especially in the Netherlands we continue commemorating that ‘Most beautiful Spring’ (‘de Mooiste Lente’) of 1945. Our fatherland, finally given back to their own volk, a land returned to rest, although that also took years of recovery and well-being. Yet without special days marking this event how soon we forget the pain and the agony of that time.

Recently I have again been going through the stories of the book ‘Hoe Groningen Streed’. (How Groningen Fought – a commemoration of 1949-45 actions against the Nazi terror in the Province of Groningen) In this book published in 1949, we have stories of brave men and women who resisted the evil schemes of the Nazi regime. In the back of this book are 300 pictures of those who lost their lives for the fatherland and for the decency and justice in our communities. (one of those is a Johannes C. Borgdorff, he was caught distributing the illegal newspaper ‘Trouw’) The commandment ‘ Love your neighbour as yourself’ in Gospel of Mark chapter 12 was their high motive and calling. The golden rule.

The remembrances of those who died resisting the enemy are now marked by special monuments and notices that started to appear around the Netherlands and throughout Europe as the memory of the war became more distant and the living experiences faded with the passing of those who lived these events. Yearly remembrance services help keep alive this precious and precarious historic events, for the honour of those who paid the ultimate price of freedom.

But there are many nameless others who were identified as a threat to the security of the Nazi state and deemed expendable; criminals by association, deemed to be dangerous to the welfare of the Nazi Uber Mensch simply by being who they were. Hated with a passion.

It is noted 6 million Jews alone (The Final Solution) were searched out, rounded up, transported and herded into camps and killed in gas chambers or simply shot in the woods outside their quiet Polish and Ukrainian villages. Those Razzias took the ones, we cannot know except for the efforts of a man who decided they too should have their memory marked and stored so the generations who follow, will know.

So the Stolpersteine project was started by the German artist Gunter Demnig in 1992. The placement of each Stolpersteine are meant to stop us, draw our attention and commemorate those picked for liquidation and execution. On these stones are inscribed the details of them, who were removed by the Nazi regime because they were not worthy. They were Christians, Catholics, Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals, communists, Socialists, the disabled, those who fought or helped against the terrors of the regime and many others, all were persecuted and faced brutal punishment and death.

In the past during the desecration and vandalization of Jewish cemeteries, the gravestones were used to pave uneven paths and even city walkways. Sometimes people would trip over these stones and this saying became a familiar response: “A Jew must be buried under there!”. So the placement of these ‘Stolpersteine’ carried a double meaning.

These are 4 inch square cube stones capped with a brass plate and inscribed with the following info: (see below picture) Hier woonde (here resided – lived) BERTHA GRUNBERG – Born 1909 – Deported 1942 from Westerbork – Murdered – December 3, 1942 in Auschwitz. This one we found in the Folkinge straat in the city of Groningen, a few steps from the old Synagogue.

People enthusiastically responded to this idea of these ‘remembrance-stones’ and since 1993 over 100,0000 have been placed all over Europe from Russia, Ukraine to Denmark and France, everywhere. In Holland there are 14,000 of these cube stones. They are Silent witnesses to the horror and frightening evil of a time never to be forgotten. A recent media article shows teen-age school children doing their yearly polishing of the stones in Stadskanaal, a city in Holland. Already for years schoolchildren have attended with care to the graves of the fallen Canadian soldiers. Thank you Canada! What a great way for the younger generation to remember. (In our extended family we have a small connection remembering the brave actions of Gaele Visser from Hamilton, killed by a sniper a few days before the end of the war. He is buried at the Holten War Cemetery)

Stones in the Scriptures are also significant items for remembrance. The Israelites were told to carry 12 stones out the river Jordan to remember the journey of Gods deliverance. “When your children ask you, “Why are these stones piled up here?” You will tell them how the waters of the Jordan parted as the covenant chest of the Eternal One crossed the river, and these stones will fix that memory for the Israelites forever. Book of Joshua Chapter 4 The Voice

In Jeremiah’s book of Lamentations Chapter 2 we read: Raise your cry to the Lord with all your might! Take no relief; be ceaseless in grief. ……. O walls, may your stones cry out, cry out for daughter Zion; Make rivers with tears of sorrow, rushing. Do not cease from your weeping. Tr The Voice

As Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey, the people shout ‘Hosanna, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd spoke to Jesus. “Teacher,” they said, “tell your disciples to stop!” “I tell you,” He replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Gospel of Luke Chapter 19

These ‘Stolpersteine’, for some people, are unhappy attention getting reminders, even today, they find them embarrassing and unwanted reminders: Struikel steentjes…Stumbling stones!

For we also read in the apostle Peter’s first letter chapter 2 – about the Jesus stone: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.”

Listen! the ‘Stolpersteine’ are crying out! May we never forget!

JS May 1, 2025

NOTE: More about BERTHA GRUNBERG (in Dutch)

The pothole election of 2025

Yesterday, I happen to visit a strip mall in a nearby city, somewhat older plaza with a moderate sized discount store selling everything from clothing to garden ornaments to groceries at discount prices and close expiry dates to canned food, snacks sweets and toys. You name it, they sold it, at deep discount prices. This was supported by smaller businesses with a gas station across the street and a coffeeshop on the corner. A typical Canadian urban family neighbourhood. But what stood out were the many pot-holes in the parking lot. Seemed like they had been unattended to for years and if repairs had been attempted, only sand was used which quickly washed out and the holes just got bigger. You needed to drive slow and scout up ahead to make sure how many you could miss, steering left and then right. You were lucky not to loose a wheel. Where was the management?

Well, it reminded me of the present electoral scenery in Canada.

Present party management of the country for months already were on a downward popularity trend and then it suddenly imploded and exploded. Parliament was shut down, the manager also stood down and the left-overs rallied around, selected themselves the new management candidates and pushed in to lead. However, a new party political non-tried newcomer came on the scene and the election was called.

So in my mind the following scenario took shape.

Here we had a once spanking new plaza – remember the enthusiasm of 1967? – O Canada! – when it was modern and new, years ago in a beautiful affordable spanking new neighbourhood? That was then. But now we have all these management issues, holes everywhere, so we need to make important decisions. The supportive opposition is standing by on the sidewalk facing the plaza, hands in pockets and shouting: ‘it is broken and needs fixing; the management is finished; they have run out of ideas; Canada, bring it home!’ Some other players are in the parking lot telling the customers that we just need little adjustments with great hand-outs here and there, that will get it done. The former management now under new leadership is telling us: it is time for radical make-overs, new parking lot surfacing and some major excavations and reshaping of the whole lot and plaza facilities. Serious stuff, tough and scary.

In the meantime we hear the sound of a parade coming down the street with a large grand marshal leading the troupes, shouting as they come, amid the sounds of drums, trumpets and pipes. Someone in the middle is beating a large drum and there are new shiny electric cars and trucks, followed by construction and demolition equipment, bulldozers and dump trucks. See how the tow trucks bring up the rear. Should we block the road or keep our fingers crossed that they will turn left before they reach us?

Look, the plaza is filling up with cars all sporting a Canadian red maple-leaf flag, bringing whole families into the area, all are looking up into the sky wondering what tomorrow will bring.

Soon it will be voting time in Canada. Will you be there?

Lets make it count, get out and vote! Decision day APRIL 28!

God bless Canada!

JS April 16, 2025

Featured image: AI generated from blog contents

Note: Election results as of May 2, 2025 out of 343 Seats: Liberals 169 Popular 43.8%; Conservatives 143 Popular 41.3%; Bloc Quebecois 23 Popular 6.3%; NDP 7 Popular 6.3%; Green 1 Popular 1.2%; People Party Canada Popular 0.7%; Others 0.7%

Easter MMXXV

‘The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Ha! Look at you now!”’ they yelled at him. – Gospel of Mark Chapter 15 verse 29 – Tr. NLT

‘Look around, you who pass by and go about your business. Is there any sorrow as great as mine? Any pain as great as that which has been forced on me?’ Book of Lamentation Chapter 1 verse 12 – Tr. The Voice

What a difference Easter time brings to the community market for the awareness of the celebration of Easter. What a difference between the commercialization of the Christmas story (baby in the manger & angels, Christmas Carols) compared to the almost no whisper in dead silence of the Easter story in the public square. Instead we get the Easter bunny with his coloured eggs.

For some time now we have seen the statistics of Christian religious beliefs declining in a steady and rapid manner. Just over 50% of Canadians identify themselves as Christians and one third of Canadian have no religious identification at all. Immigration has led to the increase of other non-Christian religions and some statistics quote those amount to 16% of Ontarians. (of which 6% are Muslim and 4% Hindus) It also states that there are now about 100 religious beliefs in Canada.

Are we losing the foundations of our Christian culture, is there anything left to salvage from the decline and decay of this heritage? Are we ‘the Christians’ the cause for this/our decline in that we are doubting the truth of the Christian Gospel message? Are our now daily practices still rooted in the essentials of the Gospel Message?

A recent book ‘Blessed are the Undone’ tells the story of Christians who are frustrated, have doubted or moved on from their faith roots because of disappointments, neglects and betrayals in the Christian community, organizations and leaderships. We have seen the rapid rise of other voices (through social media) and public celebrations (non-Christian) in our communities where we live, and those together with a mass of other cultural tunings and ideas that for a long time were considered strange, immoral and even illegal. Add to that the prominence of individual privilege as opposed to community well-being, cohesion and personal life style indulgences. All these, have led to the disintegration of many cultural truths and practices away from the strict modes of historic accepted morals and rules. The technological and economical possibilities both in medical, structural and knowledge accesses have opened up new ways of looking and doing what is personally important. Past history is condemned as shifted and bad even though out of some of the historic ashes we do find gold and saved preciousness. But yes to be woke is in, on all things past.

Christianity has become ‘past expiry date’ and old fashioned. The gospel message (Jesus saves) is ignored and shunned by main stream at our own peril. Look at the destruction, disputes, economic decay, elitism, cruel malicious wars and fake news and media, we are experiencing and when people (human-destitution) concern is raised or considered or mentioned we are called out of step because right politics is now King. Leaders with largess supporters and the ‘right’ personalities are leading the governing pack. Wealthy individuals are setting the pace. Others, including governments who took a ‘let George do it’ attitudes are now realizing a ‘home coming’ to heavier complex considerations (catch-ups) of neglected responsibilities. Whose side are/were you on? Do we know how even, as a country, to stand on our own?

There are however occasional bright spots of people coming to their senses (as in the story of the ‘Prodigal Son’ – Gospel of Luke chapter 15). The author Tom Holland in his book ‘Dominion’ (how the Christian revolution remade the world) speaks about the foundational heritage of the Christian faith that changed the Roman culture of ‘the strong wins every-time’ to a servant oriented society crystalized by Bishop Martin of Tours (331) when he divides and shares his cloak with a homeless person on entering the city gate of Amiens, France. Also among others, emphasizing again the standard in Christian life and practices was Francis of Assisi (1181) and the late Mother Teresa who were motivated by ‘serving the least of us’, a Gospel message that is still practiced in many cities and places today. (think City Missions, foodbanks, hospitality, medical clinics, meals for the hungry, clothing centers etc)

William Kurelek, the Canadian Ukrainian painter whose art work hangs in the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa and various other galleries, depicted the public neglect of the Christian message by painting a picture of Jesus standing on the front steps of the old Toronto city hall calling out to the masses traveling by on the sidewalk and the roads (Queen Street) of Toronto. They are in a hurry, not looking up or giving any attention to Jesus’ calls or even each other. And what do you think is His message: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. For I am gentle and humble in heart. Take off those heavy ‘backpacks’ of care and use mine. For my ‘backpack’ is easy and its burden is light! and I will give you rest.’ Gospel of Matthew chapter 11.

So this Easter remember the costly price He paid and the miracle of His submission to the plans of the Father gave new and resurrected life and eternal promises to all as we put our trust in Him. His death is for the forgiveness of all our sins and missteps. Take his words and live them. ‘Take this bread‘ and remember that His body was broken and His blood was shed for all who believe His message. Peace be with you!

Song: Via Dolorosa

JS April 9, 2025

Feature photo: Royal Botanical Gardens

Morning Devotions – April 2025

When I was a young boy, now over 75 years ago, my mother decided it was time for me to sleep in the bedroom on the third floor, near the attic, directly under the roof of the house. The room had a iron bed, a chair and a dark walk-in cupboard like structure covered by a large curtain. I was sure there were monsters in that cupboard and also under my bed, who on some mornings would just love to grab me. Although I was perfectly safe in bed, I knew that once I try to get up in the morning, they would pounce on me. It would be a horrible slaughter!

So I figured out if I could surprise them while they were still waking from sleep, they would be unable to catch me. So waking some mornings, I would lie quietly with the blankets safely pulled over my head and then suddenly leap up, jump out of bed, open the door and fly 4 steps at a time down the 3 stairways to the safety of the kitchen where my mother was preparing breakfast. I would be safe! I can now say, it worked every time.

But the monsters under the bed have come back. What about yours?

Do you not feel at this time in Canada, we all have monsters under our beds?

The big – T – word – that cruelly rhymes with gifts – is everywhere; in the papers, on TV, in the media and on the lips of those who are – or soon hope to be – commanding the beautiful ship “Canada”. There are rough seas ahead they say, we need to stay focused on a new course with full sails, everyone for Canada, all the way! Let’s get busy to protect our lives, our jobs and our incomes. It’s now Canada’s time to mature and seek its own way in the world, for our neighbours have gone roque, saying: ‘We had enough of giving hand-outs, it is pay-back time. And they say it is not just us, it is so for the whole world, in big and small ways. We’re done!’

Folks, this may bring us tough times, let’s hope when it starts, there will not be many job losses and economic pain. We pray, it will not be so severe, as we worship, work, shop and carry on our daily lives.

You may wonder, just one man able to cause these upsets? …….and where then is God?

Years ago, I heard a speech given by Dr. John N. Gladstone at a Canadian Charity (CCCC) convention shortly after the fall and demise of the Iron Curtain. He said: the people of Bulgaria, having now gained their independence are asking each other as they look forward to form a new government: ‘Where is God? Have you seen God lately?’

Some years ago, pastor Dr. Stephen Tong, a Chinese Indonesian Reformed pastor (some call him the Billy Graham of the East) from Jakarta, Indonesia, while speaking in New York said: ‘When in history we see many world shaking events, we need to be awake and pay attention, for God is moving! He is causing these events to rouse us awake, to show us who is in control’. My Dutch friend called the other week and told me again: ‘Jon, God is moving us closer to His goal, things are centralizing, like the winding up of a clock, maybe next year we will be dancing in heaven!’

Are you afraid of the monsters under your bed?

Say with me: God is good, all the time; all the time, God is good!

Book of Isaiah Chapter 55: verses 6 – 13

JS March 31, 2025

NOTE: April 2, 2025 in the White House Rose Garden, we are holding our breath &/or exhaling!

Eristically Belligerent #2

Since the beginning of 2025 the USA has become a danger to Canada and others.

Yah……. and that is why the heading for this post says: Eristically Belligerent #2. Eristically describes the notion of someone being a quarrelsome, controversial, contentious, a denier with aggressive notions of hostility and warmongering. Is this not what we notice from today’s leadership?

Just follow the news headlines: I want Greenland and I want Canada (the border is just a pencil line someone drew on a map!) and I’ll get it whatever way. Get the Panama canal back, Ukrainian is ungrateful and we want the minerals or else we will withdraw our support and let Russia win, and Gaza, the ‘hell-hole, we will transform it into a luxury resort. Oh yes, Tariffs (what a beautiful word) is now a favourite press-release news-word economic war/threat (look and see what I can do – beautiful!) and Canadians among others are scrambling to re-examen in their souls as to where and who they belong to; and where their loyalty really lies; what and who really counts especially in the lives of Canadian families. Are we the True North strong and free? Are our neighbours still friendly, trustworthy, are we living next door to lawless, unbounded ‘so called’ friends? Have you suddenly found yourself feeling the slippery slope and on the thin edge of a precarious almost last foothold, before an economic and sucking down dark abyss? Scratched up by a USA partner in a humiliating kick in the pants? Chaos! Betrayal!

What a roller coaster of events we have seen (and will yet see) and have heard since the last week of January 2025! Is this the rise of the dictators? The Tech Oligarchs’ motto ‘burn, ‘destroy’ and ‘destruct’ and ‘defunct’ everything leaders!? Where is the American principle embedded in “The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World” recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. Where is the magnanimity and grandeur of friendship and Spirit once so honored. Where is fair play? Where is the religious evangelical faith and goodwill (Golden-rule) that so dominated the vast lands of the American home free home! GONE, I tell you in a stroke of a pen!

We Canadians (yes, even the peace-loving world) must resist. May fairness win the day!

On January 20, 1961 President J. F. Kennedy’s in his inaugural address said we must fight “tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.” and we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, (Canada is that friend) oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty.”

Statue of Liberty – New York

Abraham Kuyper (1837 -1920) the Dutch theologian, former Prime Minster and preacher wrote these words: “When principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then battle is your calling, and peace has become sin; you must, at the price of dearest peace, lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy, with all the fire of your faith.”

Canadians feel degraded, belittled and taken for granted. How can you prepare for the unknown aggression of your friend turned into an adversary? Long ago the Psalmist king David faced the same situations, best expressed in the Book of Psalms 36, 37, 38 and others:

PRAYER of DAVID

You have seen what’s happening, Eternal One; don’t remain silent!
    Lord, do not stay far away from me!
²³Wake up; come to my defense!
    Fight for me, my Lord and my God!
²⁴Pass Your judgment, Eternal One, my True God;
    do it by the standards of Your righteousness.
    Do not allow my enemies to boast over me.
²⁵Do not allow them to gloat over me,
    “Aha, we have won! We got what we wanted!”
Do not allow them to brag,
    “We chewed him up and spit him out.”

²⁶Shame and confuse those who celebrate my suffering;
may those who exalt themselves above me be covered with shame—
wrapped in a cloak of dishonor!

Book of Psalms #35 verses 22 – 26 – Tr. the Voice! @biblegateway.com

JS March 11, 2025

Heading picture from Global News – Story by Kevin Nielsen

SURELY…….

The King is coming!

As darkness fell, it appeared like a tiny bright speck just above the western horizon. Like magic they watched it, pulsing with purpose, drawing them in, growing brighter………….

It was hot by day and cold by night and yet they came; the travelers as they crossed the vast sands of deserts, forests hills and mountainous valleys. There was tiredness and weariness for man and beast, yet they pressed on. Resting by day and moving on by darkness following the heavenly sign they had seen a month ago; a star, rising and beckoning them with wonder: something unusual is going to happen, something new and promising. Its bright beam-like burst of light appeared to carry a message when it touched them and showed on the path ahead. Encased in the light of that brightness they felt a sensation of warmth, wellness; peace with justice; compassion. Surely, heaven to earth in glory with humbleness and grace, a special strong One, a King is coming. A gift vision, fit with redemption yet clothed in lowly cloths of poverty and simplicity. A God-man. A new beginning.

Yes, there it appeared. So they stopped to inquire of those who would know the ancient wisdoms but were disappointed by their reaction. Had they not seen the star? There appeared to be anger among them with envy and disturbance at the revelation. ’Bethlehem;’ they said, ‘is where this One may be found.’ ‘Oh and if you find him let us know, so we too can honour him’ But as the door closed behind them they could hear them laughing and ridiculing the messengers.

Yet, as the travelers were shown the door, they looked up and there again was the star, still brighter and clearer, inviting: ‘Come and see!’ pointing ahead to a place just outside the neighbourhood across the tracks away from the traffic and ruins of the city.

Its entry-way was shabby and smelled like a barn, humble; but there in the corner were shepherds silently standing round and staring at a manger. Yes, look a newborn baby-boy was lying in that manger, swaddled in cloths with a beaming couple sitting nearby, who said they were Mary and Joseph from Nazareth. ‘This is Jesus,’ they said. The travelers came near, knelt and worshipped. Opened their backpacks and gave gifts fit for a King; gold precious and costly; fankincense to heal wounds and clear away the earthy smell and myrrh to cover pain and honor this sacrificial Godly appearing precious life.

‘Jesus’, the angel had said: ‘Call Him Jesus, for He will save (his) people from their sins.’

SURELY, the prophet had foretold: Surely, He has born (will bear) our griefs and carried our sorrows….Surely, He was wounded for our transgressions; and……Surely, He was bruised for our iniquities; and…….Surely, the chastisement for our peace (will be) were upon Him, and……. Surely, the Lord hath laid on Him……….the iniquity of us all…….

Later the apostle John testified: ‘Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ into the world’.

O come all you faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come let us adore Him!

JS December 4, 2024

Hear Handel’s Messiah ‘Surely’

** Generated featured image

ADVENT – Watching the CBC News – November 20, 2024

A flash

Across the skies;

People watching on a hillside

Fearful; did you see that one?

A thunderous bang!

Follows the light flash, distant rumbles,

It must be close to James and Main,

As black smoke rises in the air.

Then darkness falls over the city.

Finding sin, destruction and death.

A flash in the sky

A bright light like a star.

Unusual, a promise,

Some see it and understand;

Following to where the light journeys

Corner Main and Tin Pan Alley;

A humble abode but with Godly awe;

Rejoicing, offering gifts and worship,

renewal, purpose, courage and sanctification.

Finding the Light of the world.

JS November 27, 2024

** Pictures AI generated

1953 November 20 Friday

1953 was the year of the Big Flood (Watersnoodramp) when a massive storm (one in a hundred years – they said) blew in from Iceland, swooped over Scotland and across the North Sea, broke through the dikes of Zeeland, south Zuid-Holland and Noord Brabant provinces on January 31st, claiming the lives of 1,800 Dutch people, many in their sleep and caused the drowning of cattle, other animals and the destruction of farms and towns to the tune of 1 billion guilders; it was the year I completed Grade 6 at the ‘School with the Bible’ and was chosen to recite the rhymed 93rd Genevan Psalm at a parent/teachers event: ‘The LORD is King, enrobed with Majesty, He girds himself with strength and equity, therefore the world established by His hand, cannot be moved, but shall forever stand. The mighty floods have lifted, have lifted up their voice, the waves that roar and in their voice rejoice, but mighty though the thundering floods may be, more glorious than the surging of the sea; is He in majesty on high, forevermore his name we glorify!’ it was also the year of the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II of England on June 2nd; it was the year of the death of the Communist Russian leader Joseph Stalin on March 5th, who forced industrialization, famine-causing purges, killing according to estimates between 10 and 20 million of his own people; then also on April 25th we read a report in the science journal NATURE about the discovery of the double helix, the twisted-ladder structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by James Watson and Francis Crick; the year, the Korean War ends (July 27th) into an armistice; the Salk vaccine discovery that will save many from the Polio disease is made public; it was the time Nikita Khrushchev becomes President of the Soviet Union, starting the ‘Cold War’ scares of the 50s and 60s. Nineteen fifty-three was the summer I graduated and started Highschool (MULO) and our family was about to move to the far other side of the world: Canada. My parents said good-by to family and friends. My dad told them: ‘We will most likely never see you again!’

________________________________________________________________________

The weather was warm for that November day as we approached the harbour of Quebec City 70 years ago. The people on the Dutch ship ‘Grote Beer’ were eagerly looking out on the city and its buildings along the St. Lawrence River each with their own thoughts about this land that they had decided to settle in. There was hope for a good future but some were disappointed with the old look of the buildings they saw and remembered what they had left behind.

Having packed our suitcases the day before, we were all eager to disembark. After nine days of ocean travel all the while experiencing a heavy Atlantic storm, causing much sea-sickness among the passengers, the immigrants looked forward to setting foot on solid land. The next day the landing cards were stamped and the families were allow to transfer to the arrival shed where there were some people who welcomed us in Dutch and we waited to be assigned a location on the Canadian Pacific train parked next to the building. My mother as usual would notice on entering on board that the seats were dusty and the compartment looked old. As the weather had warmed many of us took off our coats and stored our luggage overhead and waited. No one seemed to know when the train would leave, all we knew was that we were headed to Montreal and Toronto.

After waiting for sometime, the people were starting to get hungry and so leaving the train, crossed the tracks to a small store they had spotted and bought bread, margarine and drinks. The bread wrapped in paper, was white and spongy and the margarine was pure white and tasted very salty, very unusual, as the bread they were used to was much more solid and margarine in Holland was yellow.

Towards the end of the afternoon the train started to move and we settled down for the journey which lasted all night, till we finally arrived at Toronto. My aunt Gine and uncle Henry Oosterveld (my Mom’s brother – whose family had immigrated two years earlier) together with my cousin Reina met us with their car at Union station. The weather was cloudy, damp, with spots of fog at 6 degrees Celsius. We loaded up the car. (a 1950 Ford I believe) Three in front and all of us (five – my parents, two sisters and I) in the back with our luggage in the trunk, a very heavy load.

We proceeded up Yonge Street (my Uncle was amazed how long this street was) and turning onto Highway 7 heading to Guelph, travelling through Brampton, Georgetown, Acton, Rockwood and then turning left onto Wellington County Road 29 towards Eden Mills. Past the one room school house (on the right) that I would attend in the next few days towards the first driveway on the left. A two track lane-way lined by trees on each side, ended at a barn with a farmers house on the left and a smaller two story house on the right where we would spend acclimatizing to the Canadian environment during the next two months as guests of my Aunt & Uncle. We had arrived in Canada!

We were ready to claim the words in the Bible book – Numbers, chapter 14 verse 8 where we read the words of Joshua and Caleb: “If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey…….. “ (Tr. NIV)

JS November 18, 2023

Laying Song Tracks In Time!

Remembering! (Oh, how the time flies!) the ministry of music by the Ambassadors Christian Male Chorus since 1969 in the Hamilton and other Ontario communities. Although the choir has now been retired (2019) this September (2024) is the 55th year since its beginning.

Following was originally posted on July 17, 2014 by JS

For the occasion of the Ambassadors Christian Male Chorus 45th Anniversary – September 1969 – 2014

Being 45 years old speaks of maturity and yet the choir, having certainly ‘matured’ (read: longtime) members, also has singers that have just joined in the last few years. Singing along with other men is certainly the attraction for some of them and a passion for others. Being challenged to memorize the music and songs by heart is at times a real ‘man like’ effort and takes discipline and dedication. Attending the practices each week is of utmost importance, especially for those who do not read music that fluently and who have no other tuning exercise at home (like a piano) that can guide them in their practices.

It is also surprising to note that ‘singing together’ helps sound the right note and contributes to the memorization of the songs. It appears easier to sing the right notes and words ‘together as a group’ than if one was to tackle the work on your own. Singing along with others creates its own rhythm and allows a proper atmosphere to produce all the things necessary towards gaining that perfect scoring of the song. It is a bit ‘magic like’ that this blend of the voices produces memory of the music and increases the recall of the memorization of the words. (even hearts begin to synchronize – see article excerpt below)

The human voice is a tremendous instrument and a gift of God that enhances the pleasure of life’s experiences and gives adoration for the grace and the beauty of the creation and awakens man’s much intimate expressions and feelings about God, creation and relational community. There is an awakening of the breathing process and an acknowledgement of lungs and voice so that when the right chord is sung, the feeling and hearing of the common (camaraderie) effort is enhanced, WOW! the sound is sweet.

While all said, the discipline of the practice and being at the weekly sessions are of upmost importance. The direction given for the music must also be clear and precise, especially for those who do not have the ‘knowledge or training’ of rhythm and measure that go into becoming an accomplished musician. Most of us are ‘interested’ and ‘motivated’ marginal amateurs and therefore need a firm and familiar hand for the perfectional outcome of the performance. Enunciate clearly the words you are pressing on your audience!

Harold de Haan has given leadership (with the much able piano accompanist Laura Pin) to many choristers that have been members of this choir over the years since that September in 1969. (Thank you Harold!) Many have come and gone over the years but there are some who have stuck with it for all this time. Coming week after week for practice has been for all of them a love and a leisure time to explore and develop their musical gifts and with practice they have obtained satisfaction and blessings from their efforts.

Thanks to First Hamilton Christian Reformed Church congregation for letting us use their facilities for over 40 years. It has been much appreciated and a great contribution to the ‘fellowship of the church’ in giving space this worthwhile effort that was used to birth the blessings of many groups and organizations (senior homes, church congregations, school societies) and community affairs such as the ‘Dutch/Canadian connection in remembrance of the efforts of liberation (1945).

For many years now the Ambassadors have also participated in the annual ‘Praise Festival’ which was started to encourage and showcase the music and song of Male choruses in our communities of different places throughout south/western and central Ontario. This effort has been a blessing to many who have participated and listened to the glorious songs and tunes that have expressed Christian faith and encouragement of our common life concerns and efforts.

May God bless the Ambassadors as they celebrate and may the younger generation in our circles be encouraged and blessed by these efforts and so take note and become interested to pick up the challenge and become involved in singing with their peers and so blessing the communities in which they live.

The pleasure of a good song can increase and encourage faith and relational understanding and provide an ambiance in your relation with God and your family and friends. King David the music making king of the Bible expressed it this way:

Book of Psalms number 33

¹Release your heart’s joy in sweet music to the Eternal. When the upright passionately sing glory-filled songs to Him, everything is in its right place.

²Worship the Eternal with your instruments, strings offering their praise; write awe-filled songs to Him on the 10-stringed harp.
³Sing to Him a new song; play each the best way you can, and don’t be afraid to be bold with your joyful feelings.⁴For the word of the Eternal is perfect and true; His actions are always faithful and right.
⁵He loves virtue and equity; the Eternal’s love fills the whole earth.⁸Listen, the eye of the Eternal is upon those who live in awe of Him, those who hope in His steadfast love, ¹⁹That He may save them from the darkness of the grave and be kept alive during the lean seasons.²⁰We live with hope in the Eternal. We wait for Him, for He is our Divine Help and Impenetrable Shield. ²¹Our hearts erupt with joy in Him because we trust His holy name. ²²O Eternal, drench us with Your endless love, even now as we wait for You. Amen. (Translation – The Voice, courtesy biblegateway.com)

Benefits of singing in a choir: (Article in the New Scientist) – The heart rates of people who sing in a choir quickly synchronize with one another. The discovery may offer clues to the health benefits of group singing. Björn Vickhoff at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, recruited 15 singers and asked them to undertake a number of joint singing tasks, from monotone humming to singing a meditative mantra or Christian hymn. Their vital signs were monitored throughout. The team found that choral singing increased the amount by which an individual’s heart rate varied. That might confer a potential health benefit because low variability in heart rate is known to be related to high blood pressure, says Vickhoff. They also found that the singers’ heart rates tended to fluctuate in synchrony when they were singing structured songs. This was linked to an effect known as respiratory sinus arrhythmia – where your heart beat varies in synchrony with breathing, which is known from research on meditation to be soothing, says Vickhoff. So choir singing, he speculates, might be achieving calming effects in a similar way to breathing exercises in yoga. “But the medical effects need investigating further,” he says.

Some of the choir’s songs are listed on YOUTUBE.

Originally posted in blog ‘One man’s view’

JS Sept 27, 2024

…..because these are evil times!*

Recently I have been reading in a small book (222 Pages) about the 1994 ‘genocide’ in the African country of Rwanda. That is now 30 years ago. The book was written by John Rucyahana and is titled ‘The Bishop of Rwanda’. (finding forgiveness amidst a pile of bones) It was published in 2006. I do not know where I got the book but it came into my hands and I was able to read it while recovering from a bout with COVID recently.

The book describes the history of events leading up to and during the terrible times of May 1994 to July when 1,117,000 people were slaughtered and the later results and aftermath, the somewhat healing of this nation. (although there is still strife again in this nation today)

To start: it appears that the country was made up of just 2 tribes ‘Hutus’ and ‘Tutsis’ with one other very small tribe the ‘Twa’. Although the ‘Hutus’ and the ‘Tutsis’ had lived in peace for 500 years, things changed when after the WW1 the Belgians were the colonizers of the Congo and influenced events in Congo, Burundi and Rwanda. Already in the 1800s the meddling of the European powers caused serious and complex issues from the German African Empire of the late 1800s which of course fell apart after the first World War, to UN and Belgian control since then. By the 1950s there were voices promoting for Independence and the country (not without military (war) intervention and control) became the Republic of Rwanda on September 1, 1961.

But all was not well, there was bitterness between the Tutsis who had been favoured by the colonizers and the Hutus. The Tutsis were a taller race and had mostly been the government leaders of the country over the last 100 years or so. The Hutus although they were more in number began to resent the Tutsis. This became a tribal national issue and was encouraged by people in government, religious and the educational and administrational entities. Slowly the Tutsis were pushed out of leadership positions and the Hutus took control.

It was not unusual for school teachers to ridicule their Tutsi students. In morning class the teacher would say: Stand up Tutsis. Then he or she would say to the Hutus: Laugh at the Tutsis. Tutsis always received low scores on their tests and Tutsi teachers started to leave the schools. The author of the book says when he went to a church school as a student in region of Butare, there was a teacher (religious brother) that taught the Tutsis persecuted the Hutus. The church also participated in the slander and harassment of Tutsis by allowing the use of church papers to voice their rhetoric. Slander and misinformation was also broadcast from the local radio station RTLMC in the capital Kigali. Massacres, individual Tutsi killings and murders began to be common news in the days and years leading up to 1994.

A piece of propaganda called the ‘Bahutu Manifesto’ (1950) had called for the liberation of the Hutu tribe, first from the white colonials, and second from the Hamitic (Tutsi) oppressors. In this document we hear the future tone-set for a Hutu nationalist movement by pointing out that the “indigenous racial problem” was the social, political, and economic “monopoly” held by the Tutsi race. This mentality by the 1960,70s and 80s finally ripened to a full blown situation in 1990. There were many scrimmages and fights also into the neighbouring countries. So called leaders were positioning for control. It was a volatile time in Central Africa and even the French became involved in the squabbles and military interventions. In fact it was the French in March 1992 that made the purchase of enough machetes, one for every Hutu male (some say a $6 million dollars purchase) shipped from China through Egypt. The plan had ripened.

The new government continued to consistently harass the Tutsis. When the President Habyarimana’s plane was shot out of the sky (suspecting an inside job) at Kigali’s airport in April 1994, the plotting and plan for the ‘Tutsi operation’ that had been cooking for years was ready to launch.

General Romeo Dallaire (Canadian with the UN Peace Troops) saw the tension coming and issued warning after warning, ignored by the International community and delayed by UN bureaucratic ‘passing the buck’ resulted in inaction. Later President Clinton came to ‘apologize to the Rwandan people’ for the international indifference.

The killings started on the eve of April 6 and continued into July. To achieve the over 1 million (of Tutsis and moderate Hutus) killings in neighbourhoods, streets, highways and villages, ordinary people who had been fired up by the rhetoric of race and slander for years, went through their neighbourhoods equipped with the thousands of machetes that had been carefully distributed. Hutus hacked off heads and limbs of any Tutsi they encountered (friend or neighbour). Religious and community leaders helped to expose Tutsis hiding for their lives and led the killers to groups hiding in the bush and buildings, only to be slaughtered and executed. The country became a killing hole insane madhouse. Blood flowed everywhere. corpses scattered everywhere. The people became like insane mad-men. Some who had taken shelter even in churches or houses were killed by the thousands. Many fled the country. One commentator said: the killers were 5 times more efficient than the Nazis had been. Over 1 million executed in less then 3 months (100 days of terror). Women and children decapitated, raped and mauled with what every instrument available. Terrible, terrible! You can read those individual accounts on the Web. General Romeo Dallaire (UN Peace keepers) wrote the book ‘Shake hands with the Devil’ and talked about his mental health PTSD from the spectacles he had seen and tried to forget, because he had been unable to help or prevent the genocide. And afterward? Trauma, deep emotional from deep insane memories of the bad scenes witnessed by those who committed the slaughter and those who saw their loved ones killed. Memories unable to erase. A broken people. A broken nation. A long road to healing that is not even finished today!

So now I have given you a glimpse into the Rwanda situation, so why did I write a piece now, about these events?

Well, I am worried about the situation we find ourselves in today. Youtube and the internet social media sites are full of vitriolic (hate and anger) statements, videos, ridicule and some generally dangerous comments made about people, events and our institutions. One of the contenders for the most powerful Presidential (USA) office in the world has been slandering and calling out ‘putdowns’ on many (leading) citizens of his own country and promoting revolution. (‘crazy Nancy P‘ and the event of January 6 storming of the US Capital) You can check it out on the Web. Further, we have heard time and again of slanderous ‘general’ accusations (cat-ladies) against migrants, refugees (criminals and rapists) and other aliens. Threats has been uttered and false information has been passed around (and imagined as real factual news) and spoken for as truth and factual, (Haitians eating pets) more dumbing down the self-worth and legitimacy of immigrants and even untruths told about political opposition leaders in the country. Turning comments on news events into weaponized barbs. Why even the ‘judicial institutional circle’ and people in the justice and protection services (defund the police movement) have been threatened with prosecutions and wholesale ‘revenge’ trials, imprisonments and deportations. And what about the conspiracy stories we can access on YOUTUBE where we find people who will tell untruths and make up ‘stories’ to attract attention with lies, all for money and control, meanwhile inciting and fooling decent citizen to believe the ‘garbage’ they tell. It all sounds so much like the rhetoric heard in Germany during the 1930s (remember KristallNacht) and the Rwandan genocide situation I describe above, isn’t it? To many today, these promotions are now the ‘god honest’ truth. Why even their fellow leaders in ‘high places’ are mum (dumb) about all of this. (Lets keep in power at all costs) You know the saying attributed to the Lutheran Pastor Martin Niemoller (1892 – 1984): ‘…First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Finally they came for me and then there was no-one left to speak up for me………….’

‘Then they came for me’ — Take a warning from the much maligned saying: “History repeats itself”. You say, but that is not so here in Canada? But you have already heard that the Prime Minister has been called a ‘wacko’! Is this the start?

I write this for my children and for my grand-children and my neighbours and friends. Please don’t go down this route. Keep to the highroad, nobody is perfect but in my neighbourhood the Christian command of ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ still is the proven rock hard foundation of our human togetherness.

Can we change course?

‘Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.’ Book of Proverbs chapter 25 verse 28

Peace to you all!

JS September 16th, 2024

Epistle to the Ephesians chapter 5 verses 6 – 16 Tr. the Voice. Don’t be fooled by people whose sentences are compounded with useless words, empty words—they just show they are empty souls. For, in His wrath, God will judge all the children of disobedience for these kinds of sins. ⁷So don’t be persuaded into their ignorance; and don’t cast your lot with them ⁸because, although you were once the personification of darkness, you are now light in the Lord. So act like children of the light. ⁹For the fruit of the light is all that is good, right, and true. ¹⁰Make it your aim to learn what pleases our Lord. ¹¹Don’t get involved with the fruitless works of darkness; instead, expose them to the light of God. ¹²You see, it’s a disgrace to speak of their secrets (so don’t even talk about what they do when no one is looking). ^13-14When the light shines, it exposes even the dark and shadowy things and turns them into pure reflections of light. This is why they sing, Awake, you sleeper! Rise from your grave, And the Anointed One will shine on you. ¹⁵So be careful how you live; be mindful of your steps. Don’t run around like idiots as the rest of the world does. Instead, walk as the wise! ¹⁶Make the most of every living and breathing moment because these are evil times.

Graduations remembered – 1953 – 2024

Recently I watched and attended the graduation of three of my grandchildren, one from elementary school, one from secondary school and one from university. God is faithful!

As I watched I was reminded of my own graduation back in the Netherlands before my family immigrated to Canada.

The year was 1953. It had been a year of much turmoil, not only in the Netherlands, remember – the ‘Watersnoodramp’ – storm flooding in February where 2000 Dutch people lost their lives and the end of the Korean War but also that our family had been approved for immigration to Canada and left the Netherlands unsure of the future in November 1953. I had just graduated from Grade 6, the end of the elementary school and had entered the secondary system in the M.U.L.O. A lot of changes for me as a 12 year old, for our family in our new location in Canada. Sure the immigration was exciting but at the same time a bit scary because there were a lot of things we needed to learn. Language, food, housing, work, geography, culture, weather and schooling.

In the Netherlands I had attended a ‘School met de Bijbel’ which meant that we prayed and sang hymns and psalms in the class but most of all our teacher emphasized in ALL that we studied and do and live by, on a daily basis, was ‘Coram Deum’. (before the face of God)

I contemplated this when I saw the graduation of my grandchild from university. Social work had been her choice specialty and she had done well, (Honours Bachelor of Social Work) even landing a full-time job before graduation. Before the ceremony and handing out of certificates (196 Graduates) there was a general acknowledgement about spirituality by the indigenous university president citing how we were connected to creation, but God as such was not connected with our lives as much. What I meant to say is; that there was no Christian redemptive narrative, the godly assist or caring hand, under the arm, those biblical promises, that a young (Christian) person needed as they are pushed into the stream of real life.

Another grandchild graduated from grade 8 at a Christian school. Theme for the event was Psalm 27 ‘The Lord is my strength and my shield: my heart trusts in him and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise him.’ As each child was mentioned by name a Bible text was recited, a teacher made an encouraging remark of appreciation about their time spent at school and then gave them their certificates of accomplishment. There was audience singing of a praise hymn and a prayer was said. A good message was said and appreciated.

Another grandchild graduated from a Christian high-school where the pattern was repeated, honors given and scholarships handed out for exceptional achievements. As each graduate/student came forward to receive their diploma a Bible text was given and remarks were made by a teacher about the student’s time at the school but here was a difference. Not only were the teacher’s remarks on a very personal basis but there was affection, fun and sincere appreciation for the different ways the student had impacted teachers, fellow students and the whole school. It reflected an atmosphere present at the school of playful intimacy, family intimacy. The highlight of that closeness was, when the two teachers and the student (my grandson) re-enacted the electrifying/unity cry of his Student Council (do they still call it that?) campaign by the three of them raising swords and shouting ‘All for one and one for all.’

The theme of the evening was the earlier address by a former student, now a church pastor, entitled: just don’t quit!. The emphasis here was on sticking with your studies; with your commitments, with your jobs, marriage, friendships, family and your faith, stick with life. Stick with it like Jesus who came to save sinners and did not flinch living forward to his determined goal. There was a presenting of Gospel (good-news) the Saviour has come. This ‘anchor’ theme for the evening was gathered from the letter of James chapter 1 verses 22 – 25 ‘Do not merely listen to the Word, and deceive yourselves. Do what it says…whoever looks intently in the perfect law that gives freedom, not forgetting what they have learned, but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do’. Yes the caring lies in the doing! The hymn sung ‘Great is Thy Faithfulnes” fits the occasion.

And so my reflection went back to the time I graduated from Grade 6 (end of my primary education) back in 1953. I do not remember a full graduation ceremony but I do remember receiving a personal diploma/certificate designed by the principal. (W. Meijer **) You can see it at the head of this post. It is a bit faded but at the top in the middle panel the Bible text (with promise) – and then a picture points to the life road we must all take, leading to the end pictured as a mountain top life-time climb, not of status or wealth or smartness or best in the community, but the mountain top of heavenly realms, the salvation promised to all who have persevered faith in the Lord of life. The Bible text there states: ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.’ taken from the Acts of the Apostles chapter 16 verse 31. At the bottom, the School board’s signatures and my name, all of this very faded over time. Around the borders of this diploma/certificate on both sides, are the different applied occupations and areas of work that a person might be involved in. The corner squares represent (from top left, clockwise) Environment – Agriculture – Commerce – Industry. Then on the left side are the areas of study: mathematics = writings/journalism = theology/philosophies and on the right side: creation = history = nature; representing the reformed Christian world view pictured out for the student and for every one who will ‘labour in the vineyards’ of the Lord. No matter where or when, under all circumstances ‘the eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.’ Book of Deuteronomy chapter 33 verse 7. ‘Sun of righteousness shine on us.’ Our world belongs to God and everything in it.

Graduations are always joyous occasions: full of expectant life possibilities and future opportunities. Graduates, go and walk with God! and He will direct your paths.

Love the hymn: Earth and all Stars. (youtube)

Earth and all stars, loud rushing planets, sing to the Lord a new song!
O victory, loud shouting army, sing to the Lord a new song!
Refrain: He has done marvelous things. I too will praise him with a new song!

Hail, wind, and rain, loud blowing snowstorms, sing to the Lord a new song!
Flowers and trees, loud rustling dry leaves, sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain

Trumpet and pipes, loud clashing cymbals, sing to the Lord a new song!
Harp, lute, and lyre, loud humming cellos, sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain

Engines and steel, loud pounding hammers, sing to the Lord a new song!
Limestone and beams, loud building workers, sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain

Classrooms and labs, loud boiling test-tubes, sing to the Lord a new song!
Athlete and band, loud cheering people, sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain

Knowledge and truth, loud sounding wisdom, sing to the Lord a new song!
Daughter and son, loud praying members, sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain

Composer: Herbert Brokering (1964) says: ‘I tried to gather into a hymn of praise the many facets of life which emerge in the life of community. So there are the references to building, nature, learning, family, war, festivity. Seasons, emotions, death and resurrection, bread, wine, water, wind, sun, spirit. . . have made great impressions on my imagination.‘ (Composer’s quote taken from Hymnary.org)

**W. Meyer is also the author of ‘The Bible for Youth’ (Bijbel voor jongere mensen) written under the pen name of Wolf Meesters.

JS June 29, 2024

Looking back (ward)

Jesus (says): Listen, if your hand is on the plow but your eyes are looking backward, then you’re not fit for the kingdom of God. (Gospel of Luke Chapter 9 verse 62 – Tr. the Voice)

In looking back over the year 2023, there were plenty of issues happening in the world that affected us all; but specially the events in our family that were very upsetting. So I googled 2023 world events chronicled website (https://www.onthisday.com/events/date/2023 and started to read the following……..

The month of January led off with the funeral in Rome for Benedict 16th, the former (German) Pope who had abdicated his position in 2013.

To help Ukraine with its war against the Russian aggressor ,USA and Germany agree to send 45 modern tanks. However, Ukraine soldiers will need training to get acquainted with its machinery. The official war will be 1 year old on February 24, 2023. Even though there is death and destruction everyday, there appears a growing tiredness in UN countries and others, but especially in the USA, stalling the support lines and slowing down the flow of assistance for weapons and monetary aid. Is this a calculated stealth strategy (by their friends) that will force Ukraine to accept a cease fire and suck-up the present war position as the eventual outcome of their struggle for an independent (from Russian influence) Ukraine? What about those F16 fighter jets, again delayed. Maybe in 2025?

In early February, we saw news of earthquakes (7.8 magnitude) in the middle east Turkey, Syria, trapping thousands of people in numerous collapsed buildings with the dead numbering in the the thousands. How could this be? It soon turned out that many of the buildings were not able to withstand the quake-shocks as they had been poorly constructed with inferior materials or bypassing acceptable building standards with quake proofing standards ignored. A total tragedy of biblical proportions. (60,000 people died.)

In June we had the tragedy of the Ocean Gate’s Titan submersible at 12,000ft below sea-level, with adventurous well-heeled passengers on board looking to catch a glimpse of the sunk Titanic (1912) but unable to sustain a pressure of 300 times, it imploded, killing all 5 persons onboard. Many voiced against the recklessness of its operator.

I continued to catch more news worthy events of 2023………atmospheric river storms, floods and landslides, volcanic eruptions, AI fright for deep-fake news and info, African/Asian countries push back on LGTBQ, drought in Somalia killing 43,000 people in 2022, USA shooter kills 3 children and 3 adults in Christian school Convent Elementary, in Nashville, Tennessee, the gun-debate again up front affecting everyday American children and families, Political and corporate figures are being accused of devious and abusive practices and life styles, Sexual extortions by authority/celebrity identities, Lies and untruths abound on the social media resulting in an admittance of wrongs (only to seek a quick monetary settlement but no real: ‘we’re sorry’ ) with a 775 million dollar court judgment – with money you can cover any lies, no real soul searchings here. Children & teenagers committing suicide while surfing the net caught by, sucked-in and manipulated into indecent acts or reciting personal private info by unscrupulous persons with evil intentions, Climate change is now being ‘felt and seen’ with the world’s average temperature rising beyond expectations, huge amounts of money spent on ‘space-race’ endeavours, the moon landings are next, Sports and celebrities earning and offered unreal and gross capital amounts of money, Wildfires in Canada, Conservative nationalistic voices dominate the political rhetoric across the world’s nations and many more at home. The events following the October 7 terrorists attacking Israel settlers and setting off a fire storm of retaliation. Now there are demonstrations all over the western world democracies as the response to that event is considered revengeful and cruel and that it is now snuffing out more lives. The cause of all this is now fading into the background and our motives for justice are covered in more blood. But how do you kill an immoral ideology? Is there no right or wrong? And so it goes on……

Closer to home……..Our church community too has suffered from the tiredness of Covid 19 and now is slowly emerges from the Pandemic cautionaries (masks on, no handshakes) hibernations and withdrawals. The news that another church nearby was folding, unable to see their way clear to continue because of lost membership and lost vision? has become our gain. People we know and grew up (teenage friends and school acquaintances) have come to the end of their life and we all are in the midst of asking the big questions……..’how now shall we live’ as families and re-organize as a community and as neighbourhoods of faith, with fellow citizens in our communities.

But specially again this last week of December, we have been subjected to the passing of friends and acquaintances. Attending a series of visitations for people whose families have suffered the loss of a loved one. Perhaps, is it because our family lost a beloved daughter-in-law that it too has affected us in a big way? It sure was an event that cuts you to the raw, not just because the committal at the cemetery took place on a severely wind frosty day, as we together, family and friends stood around the gravesite and recited our faith and hope in God, our only Comfort and spoke together about the promise of the resurrection of life to come and verbalized the trusted mercies of God; while tightly gripping each other, not only because of the cold, but the sting of death visually realized was so great. It seemed we were all being buried in that hole of SADNESS and LOSS. How do we make sense of why a lively daughter-in-law (a Mom about to become an Oma) could so quickly be claimed by the grip of an unrelenting deadly cancer. We remembered a year ago, all was well and in the ensuing months of sickness had pleaded with God on numerous occasions, why and why her? We now see a son devastated by the loss of his wife and companion, his friend. (CC see Lament) Children without a mother and the ‘about to be birthed babies’, the loss of an (expecting with Joy!) Oma, even before their lives begin. Oh, the misery and the helplessness of it all. It hits you in the guts.

So even with this in our minds and hearts, we again drove to say our condolences a few days later to yet another family we know. We came home and once again prepared for another condolences visit on our list. This one was an old acquaintance, someone who experienced the horrors of the concentration camps of Indonesia during WW2, where he lost his parents and with his sister and brother were taken up by the remaining family as orphans. Sorrows that stays and rots your bones for the rest of your life.

That same afternoon my grandchildren drove up to visit their maternal Grandfather battling cancer, and to show him his three weeks old first great-grandchild. Surely, the rhythms of life move us on and we sometimes seem just unwilling spectators as God unrolls His-story book of our time-bound universe. We attended a Memorial service for yet another loved one. The question was asked again: ‘Why Lord, why us, why now? What is it that you want to tell us?’ A book I recently read by Lydia Dugdale, the ‘Art of Dying’, reminds the reader and so all of us, that we will (must) die – (‘Momento Mori’) this is the human condition for us all. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens; a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to…………” book of Ecclesiastes chapter 3.

So looking back over the year of our Lord (Anno.Domino) AD 2023 has not been a pleasant experience for our family and yet all these remembrances and events that have shaped our lives are useful in teaching us ‘How to live.’ This hymn says what we believe in our hearts is true! Yes there is much goodness and hope for the believer!

God, we’ve known such grief and anger
As we’ve heard your people cry.
We have asked you, “How much longer?” *
We have sadly wondered, “Why?”
In this world of so much suffering,
May we hear your word anew:
“I will never leave you orphaned;
I will not abandon you.”

By your grace comes resurrection;
By your love, you cast out fear.
You give strength and sure direction
As we seek to serve you here.
You give comfort to the grieving,
And you bless the ones who mourn.
May we trust in you, believing
Out of chaos, hope is born.

Hope is ours for, God, you love us!
You have claimed us by your grace.
And through Jesus, you have called us
To bring hope to every place.
In each rescue worker’s caring,
In each faithful volunteer,
In each Christian’s love and sharing,
God, we glimpse your kingdom here.

Hymn Author: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2002)

as in Psalm 13 verse 1 & 2
This hymn can be sung to the tune of ‘There’s a wideness in God’s mercy’:

Tune: In Babilone –Julius Rontgen (1855-1933) 8,7,8,7 Dutch Traditional Melody, 1710; Oude en Nieuwe Hollantse…Contradanseu, Amsterdam, c. 1710 – Public domain—Hymnary.org

Picture: 2007 Olympia, Greece.

JS February 15, 2024

1961 Christian Schools Convention in Hamilton

INTRODUCING OUR HOSTS – National Union Christian Schools – DISTRICT 10
It is my privilege, as chairman of the host district, to introduce you to this area. I say that it is my privilege, because God, especially during the last decade, has done great things to and through our school district. I count it a great honour to be serving a cause which has been and still is marked by a Bible-generated faith. Our Christian School movement in this Canadian province of Ontario began in Holland Marsh in the early forties. Stimulated by the Christian Reformed Consistory, and led by the late Rev. Martin M. Schans, the first Ontario Calvinistic Christian School was opened in 1943. Mr. Jacob W. F. Uitvlugt became its first teacher and principal and was Ontario’s only Christian School principal for almost a decade. He and Holland Marsh established excellent rapport with the Ontario Department of Education. Our schools’ good name today is due in the main to this excellent insight and approach.

Soon after World War II (1947) immigrants flooded Ontario. Dutch (Holland) immigrants settled in every sizable village and city of our province and strengthened our small Christian Reformed groups in Hamilton and Sarnia. And so in 1952 and in 1953 Christian Schools were established in both places. However, the first entirely immigrant society to establish a Christian elementary school was in Aylmer in 1954. Bradford (Spring-dale) separated from the Holland Marsh School in 1955. Jarvis and Strathroy began the same year. Drayton and Trenton schools started in 1956.

Following the first post-war spurt, there was a brief lull in the opening of new Christian Schools. At this time the Ontario Alliance began to function and stimulated the cause by holding bi-annual delegate meetings. Board members of schools in operation presented their problems for solution. The delegates from associations without a school were moved by holy jealousy. They in turn stirred their people into action. Ministers and teachers were asked to address associations for the cause. The Christian School mandate was placed before our people. All this bore fruit.

The birth of the Chatham and Bowmanville Christian Schools in 1957 had slightly other causes, but through the stimulus of the Alliance West-Toronto (now Timothy), Weiland port, and Wyoming schools were opened in 1958. In 1959, there was a great harvest. Brampton, Brockville, Clarkson,
Hamilton Christian High, St.Catharines, East-Toronto (now Calvin, Toronto), and Woodstock began their operations. And last but not least, in 1960, Athens began with a one-room school. Thus, at the close of a decade, God has prepared schools and teachers so that nearly 3,000 covenant children and young people are being trained in the wisdom of the Word. I wish we could personally show you all our schools. Many of our teachers, about 90 in number, you will learn to know at our Convention. They are an interesting and exellent group. Their dedication may find little compensation here, but their reward is sure with God.

In the name of the Ontario Alliance, its schools and its teachers, I bid you a hearty welcome to our Convention. It is good to be among faithful people and to represent them. Soli Deo gloria!

(Rev.) Henry A. Venema. (1920-1972)

Note: This article was written for program booklet of the 41st Convention of the National Union
of Christian Schools, held at MacMaster University, Hamilton, ON on August 15,16,17, 1961.

NOTE: for a comprehensive read about NUCS District 10 and the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools (OACS) history see ‘Creating a Third Way’ by author Adrian Guldemond.

JS posted February 7, 2024

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Psalm 49 For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

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