Religious Persecution

Many people think that religious persecution is something from the ancient past, acts of violence by insane Roman emperors. The facts is that persecution, not just against Christians, is widespread in our "enlightened" twenty-first century. Read this article from CNN to see the real state of the world.

Song of Solomon

This coming Sunday I will be preaching on a number of wisdom books, including the Song of Solomon. Song of Solomon is beautiful poetry of the love a man has for a woman... beautiful that is until you try and put it all together. I found this picture of what this woman would look like if everything was taken literally. Enjoy!

Proud of Amanda

Last Sunday was a big day for us in our family. On April 25, 2010 at First Baptist Church Meaford, Amanda preached her very first sermon. She took a look at four different types of Psalms and how they teach us about ourselves and God. She did a fantastic job! I do not say that just as a proud husband (although I am!) but as someone who is fairly critical to listening to people's sermons. It had a great balance of teaching and preaching. Amanda even wrote a Christian Psalm and a poem as part of her sermon. I am married to one very talented preacher. For the next few weeks, you can listen to or read Amanda's sermon at www.meafordbaptist.ca. Amanda does not have to wait long for her next opportunity. She will be preaching on May 9 at Woodford Baptist Church.

Miss You Mom!

One year ago today Amanda and I were rushing to St Joseph's hospital in Hamilton. We got stuck in traffic and construction just as we approached Hamilton. By the time we arrived at the hospital, my mother was dead.

I am not exaggerating when I say that I had an incredible mother. She had a rough childhood, one that I cannot even imagine. Yet she overcame and became an incredible person. I was an only child and so I received the full benefits of being her son. She was great at blessing me, and even though I joke about being spoiled, she knew how to keep a balance. She encouraged me by her words and actions to become a better person. Even as her health began to fail, she was still there to help other people. We had hoped that mom would move in with us but her time with us was less than a day. Still, she has left an impact on our family. She loved her grandkids and they loved her. When everyone else thought we were crazy bringing more children into our home, mom was just happy that there were more kids to "spoil." To this day, when Justus sees a little old lady with white hair, he thinks it is grandma, and even addresses them as such. I am thankful that I had forty years with mom. I will treasure each moment and I hope to be even close to as good a parent to my children. Miss you mom.

Cops For Cancer

Cancer is something that touches almost all of us. They say that about one in three people will get some form of cancer. But the statistics do not begin to state the story. Cancer has touched our lives. Just a year ago, my mom died of cancer. This really brought things home for us.

The first wedding I ever performed as a pastor was for Jeremy and Wanda Cummings. Unfortunately their son Carter developed cancer and now at the age of four is in the final stages of his battle. Carter's fight has touched both Amanda and I.

It is for this reason that Amanda has decided to get involved with Cops for Cancer. Amanda is going to shave her head (obviously there is no reason for me to do that) to raise money to help kids with cancer. If you would be willing to give to this important cause, you can go here to Amanda's page. Your generous support is much appreciated.

Jennifer Knapp

I used to work for a distributor of Christian music that was called CMC. As a result, I was introduced to a fair bit of what the Christian music industry had to offer. One of the artists that Amanda and I enjoyed was Jennifer Knapp. She had a nice original sound and thoughtful lyrics. We were a bit surprised when we read in this story that Jennifer Knapp has just announced that she is gay. It is noted in this story that this has been a polarizing story for evangelical Christians. Why should I talk about it? After all, it is none of my business. It is not my business, but how Christians respond to this type of news is my business because it also reflects on me. Let me put my cards on the table. I do not believe that homosexuality is one of God's planned intentions for humanity. I believe that sex is meant for a male-female marriage relationship. But note, this puts homosexuality in the same category as pre or extra marital heterosexual activity, something that Christians often forget to mention. Homosexuality does not hold the place of the especially bad sin and we should not place it in that spot. Having said that, my response to Jennifer's news is not disgust. It is unfortunate in that I believe that God has something better for her, but I do not know her background or what has led her to this place. I would plead with other Christians to hold the condemnation. It does no good and only makes us all look intolerant. I hope that Jennifer will continue to reflect on the Christian message and that it would influence future songs. I hope that the church would remain open to her, encouraging her in her faith. I hope that other Christian artists would embrace her, not necessarily agreeing with her, but loving her as someone created in the image of God. I will continue to enjoy her music. These news items are continual tests for the Christian community to reflect upon the example of Jesus and the law of love.

Belgium in Review

Amanda and I had a great time in Belgium. The reason we went was that I was presenting a short paper at a conference on the resurrection in Louvain La Neuve. It was a great experience and I learned a lot. We also met some great new friends that we hope to keep in touch with. After the conference, we took the train to Brussels. Unlike Louvain La Neuve which is a modern university town, Brussels is filled with history. The narrow cobblestone streets, the old facades on the buildings, beautiful churches and museums. We enjoyed it very much. I was very glad that my lenten fast from chocolate and coffee was over as both were incredible in Belgium. We also took a tour of Ghent and Bruges. Unlike Brussels, which is French, these cities are Dutch. We saw buildings going back to the 1200's. We saw the very first oil painting and the Madonna and Child by Michelangelo. Taking a boat ride through the canals of Bruges was very nice and I enjoyed it in some ways more than Venice. We loved Belgium and would go back any time we had a chance.

Life From Death

This is a little late, but I thought I would share a little from my Easter Sunday message a week or so back. My focus was that of 1 Corinthians 15, one of the most important passages about the resurrection we have. I noted that there are two general aspects to being human: we all die, and we all long for immortality. The first is obvious. The second does not require that all are religious or believe in an afterlife. Some long for immortality by making a name for themselves or by having a family. What matters is that people want something of themselves to survive death. We are curious about death and about the possibility of an afterlife. The resurrection of Jesus is important for this. The fact that Jesus rose on the third day means that there is something beyond death. Also, Jesus did not inhabit just a re-animated corpse, he had a resurrection body, a body in some ways in continuity with his old body but also changed and outfitted for eternity. Paul tells us that Jesus is the first fruits of the resurrection, that is he is the first example of what will happen to all of us. The afterlife is not an eternity as a disembodied spirit but rather an eternity in resurrected bodies on a resurrected earth. Paul concludes with a reminder that these eternal truths should affect how we live our lives. What we do in this life echoes into eternity.

Happy Birthday Justus!

This is a busy month for us as today is Justus' birthday (we have two more family birthdays in April if you include the dog). Today is Justus' fourth birthday. What a great kid! We talked with him today on Skype (as we are still in Belgium). He really misses us and we really miss him. Justus and I have become real pals. We have our moments of frustration (on both sides) but we have bonded well. If Justus had his way, he would come with me to work every day. We are really blessed to have five great kids and we look forward to seeing them again when we get back.

Happy Birthday Logan!

Today is Logan's 9th birthday! It seems like just yesterday we were at the St. Catharines General Hospital holding our little baby for the first time. Now Logan is a huge kid! We are very proud of Logan and he has come very far. We miss Logan as we are away in Belgium right now but look forward to giving him a big birthday hug when we get home. Happy Birthday Logan, we love you!

Resurrection Conference

This is a big week for us. Tuesday, Amanda and I fly to Belgium. We are going to a conference on the Resurrection of the Dead. You can find the information here. The reason we are going is that I am presenting a paper entitled "Nation of Heroes: From Apotheosis to the Resurrection." I have preached a fair bit and even have led workshops. However, this will be my first time presenting an academic paper. I am excited and nervous. It does not help that some of the scholars that I quote are at the conference and could be there to hear me. It is a great opportunity and I look forward to learning from this. Amanda and I are also going to take some time to see a bit of Belgium. We are looking forward to this time away.

What is Easter Sunday?

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.”

(Luke 24:1–12 ESV)

Why Are You Here?

Last Sunday we concluded volume one of Genesis to Revelation with a look at Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. The focus was the challenge to Esther that she may have come to royal position just to help her people. Although she was not where she wanted to be, she was at the right place at the right time. The same is true for Ezra and Nehemiah. Both were forced to serve the Persian king when they really wanted to be with their people rebuilding in Jerusalem. But because they were loyal servants of the Persian king, they were eventually able to go to Jerusalem, not by themselves but with all kinds of Persian resources. They were at the right place at the right time. There are times that we find ourselves in a place where we do not want to be. The circumstances are not what we want. We could choose to dwell on our disappointment. Or we could consider that we have been placed here for just such a time as this. How has God positioned you to serve him right where you are? Perhaps this is not an unfortunate mistake and you are at the right place at the right time.

For the next few weeks this sermon can be found at www.meafordbaptist.ca and www.stephenjbedard.com.

Autism Awareness

Since today is autism awareness day, I thought I would post this article on autism. It is a short interview with a brother of a man in his 40's who has autism. I liked the article for two reasons: it reminds us that autism is not just a childhood disorder (they do grow up!) and that not all people with autism are high functioning. Important stuff to know.

What is Good Friday?

“As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’Then

“ ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”

The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegarand said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”

Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.”

(Luke 23:26–47 NIV)