01/25/2026
Here is the promised devotional for today from Pastor Guy!
Stay warm everyone!
Cautionary Tales
Cancelled Church in Lipton (again)
Some Thots to Ponder
Before we start, I just hit a personal milestone in ministry. Never have I experienced two Sundae morning cancellations back to back. But with Saskatchewindchill it's -44C as we woke up. We knew it was COLD when Mr Sioux (mostly a sheep dog) set a personal canine record by doing his business in less than 90 seconds running back to our toasty home. Right now, he is resting his head on my foot as I type.
Ponder Thomas Aquinas, Sam Elliott and the Book of Books
The Bible just may be THEE book of books on paying attention to Cautionary Tales. We do nave the good, the bad and the traumatic. Lessons to learn from. My son, Reed, came home from preschool Sundae School with this cautionary tale from Samson on his mind a few years back. He told us firmly, 'I am never getting a haircut ever again.' Maybe that wasn't the primary lesson, but the sidebar of Delilah struck a nerve.
In the Scriptures we don't always get the bounce back of overcoming, although that is a major major theme throughout as the way back to redemption. The Biblical stories emphasize the hope of redemption and transformation by following the ways of Jesus and the Old Testament Heroes and Heroines of the faith who were the first fruits of a coming Messiah. Not all the stories have a Hollywood happy ending, but more like much of French film - sometimes.
Maybe Sam Elliott's character in Landman puts it best, 'My life is a roadmap of how not to do it...' He warns to learn from his missteps and there is a better way to live.
I was going to quote this 13th century saint this morning:
'Any truth, no matter by whom it is said, is from the Holy Spirit.'
Thomas Aquinos
Aquinas may have been pondering Proverbs 13:20, He who walks with the wise grows wise...' or Psalms 68:18 which is used as a direct reference in Ephesians 4.where it says we are given gifts by God such as what some call the five-fold ministry gifts (lots of interesting interpretations on this one - but the point is made they are needed regardless), or the motivational gifts in Romans 12 (that's a good google).
Consider God's gifts to humankind from Psalm 68:18 and Ephesians 4.8
When you ascended on high,
you took many captives;
you received gifts from people,
even from the rebellious—
that you, Lord God, might dwell there.
Our Biblical writers in the Scriptures understood Jewish teaching. Sometimes a passage like this is literal, metaphorical, allegorical, prophetic and/or straight forward. Multi meanings but with an underlying string of understanding. I must ask here --- Do you understand? Do I understand :)
One of the points I wanted to emphasize in 'church' this morning was that we need to learn and apply wisdom from a variety of sources and not discount cautionary tales. The Bible is far from sanitary. Definitely ranges from PG13 to R. The one about the tent peg through an evil king's head still makes me squeamish.
The truth that sets us free (a John 8 Bible quote) is directly from the incarnational life of Jesus...but also truths in general that the human soul needs to survive and thrive. I am so thankful for my University of Regina years learning truths in psychology and social work that are tried and true. These truths came from all sorts of sources but truths nonetheless. People of faith??? Probably yes and no, but aren't we all on a journey of life hoping to find Peace, Hope, Joy and Love!!!!
Stay warm as this polar vortex hovers over a good chunk of our continent. Google the above verses if you are so inclined. Watch some exciting Scotties Tournament of Hearts curling, NFL semi finals, or go out for brunch if you have a favorite restaurant close by as The Max suggested a few minutes ago.
God bless,
Pastor Guy and my sidekick Mr Sioux
(still laying on my foot)
