COG Webcast

9iSabbath Reflections 2025-26

Sabbath Greetings.

How often the emotional landscape seems to mirror the weather. It has been a week with bright summer sun, glowing white clouds, dark grey mountains bringing a soaking rain and even a rare roll of thunder.

Sometimes life is just such a tumultuous mix of sunshine and showers, gratitude and grief.

Sabbath gives us a moment to pause, take a breath and put things into perspective. Both sun and showers are necessary, though both the heat and the downpour may not have been appreciated at the time.

I picked our first 2 small zucchini and enjoyed them in a beef stir-fry last night. They were harvested from the 3 pots along my driveway that Phinehas (2yrs 0ld) helped me plant with seed a few weeks ago. This miracle of growth is not without its traumas, for out of 12 seeds I have 4 healthy plants. Some seeds did not germinate, while others just sprouted in time to be consumed by hungry snails. And growing in pots and using city water is a less than ideal environment even with decent soil. There is a lesson here in gratitude for what is gained amidst grief for what was lost or what could have been.

I wrote a poem decades ago and found it again and it still speaks to me of the joys and sorrows of life through the metaphor of clouds.

Clouds

Cooling gauzy mists frost

a thirsty world with life’s dew

but retreat under sun’s bold stare.

Bright puffs chased by playful winds

frolic in joyful abandon

to the tune of summer’s zephyr.

A great coarse gray shroud

slouching morose and melancholy

there’s no escaping it’s moody presence.

Billowy, froth of white

the glorious veil on a blue sky bride

the crown to a day’s celebration.

Icy wisps, aloof and distant

unfeeling, uncaring, untouched

by Sol’s pallid winter radiance.

Sailing ships on celestial seas

proudly decked in full canvas

passing in dignified procession.

Gray battalions approach reassuringly

but tramp by methodically

dashing hopes of needed showers.

Massive mountains of pent-up fury

black, foreboding, their roaring rumble

harbinger of devastating destruction.

Frigid azure skies flee in silent terror

with this tidal wave comes the whiteout

where no voice is heard above the howl.

Abalone’s opalescence back-lit

by daffodil spokes of gentle rays

a soothing serenity ushers storm’s end.

Sunset soaked crimson streamers

vividly herald twilight’s coming

a splendid parade in vibrant hues.

Clouds, mirror of many moods,

the emotions of each day played

in mime, on the face of the heavens.

Sabbath has always been family time. As children, it was Friday evenings playing games together,  the long drive to and from Sabbath services playing our bible version of 10 questions, or the walks in the local gardens as a detour on our way home. With our own children, Friday evening meant  a special meal, with candles, music, and a  blessing to begin the Sabbath. Sabbath brunch was often pancakes with maple syrup – a favourite treat. After Sabbath services we always tried to have time to explore local parks, beaches, and woods, or to relax together enjoying our ‘wee green spot’ at home especially on those lovely long summer Sabbath evenings when sunset was after 9:00pm. How did your family make Sabbath a special family time each week?

Yesterday I enjoyed a slow meander through the wonders of Cathedral Grove, a truly magnificent tribute to the Creator’s handiwork canopied in towering Douglas fir, western red cedar, and big leaf maple, and carpeted in moss, fern, and salal. No matter where you live, God’s wonders can be seen in the things he has made for our enjoyment. Here on Vancouver Island we are blessed with great vistas of beach and ocean, ancient woodlands, frothy waterfalls, and forested mountains.

Wishing you all the joy of exploring and appreciating this miracle of an earthly home tailored to peak our curiosity and enrapture our imagination. What are some of the natural wonders in your region of the world?

Wishing everyone Sabbath rest and time to reflect on the miracle of creation.

The sun is now peeking out behind the clouds after a tumultuous morning and afternoon with alternating mountainous grey clouds with downpours and brief moments of bright sunshine. So is this how June will be this year? The rhododendron have lost most of their blooms, but the roses are just coming into their glory.

To me, Sabbath and gardens are memories linked over the decades. As a young teen our family loved to go to the Royal Botanical gardens Sabbath afternoons and explore the sunken gardens, the lilac bowl, or the iris garden. At Bricketwood I often found my way to the Japanese garden for a quiet place to relax and enjoy the azaleas and Japanese maple. In Pasadena as a student the Italian garden was a haven of Sabbath peace.

Later, as a family we made regular trips to the Arboretum, Huntington Gardens, and Descanso gardens on Sabbath as they were great places for us to wander and appreciate God’s love of gardens. Of course, He was the first great gardener and Sabbath was his chance to rest and enjoy the beauty of the garden he had created with his children. So Eden and Sabbath are inextricably tied the one to the other. Both the garden, a place of beauty and refreshing, and the Sabbath, a time to be refreshed and restored are blessings derived from God’s ‘chesed’, his loving loyalty, and his ‘ahavah’ his personal affection for us.

Giving thanks to God for these two wonderful gifts.

Thinking this Sabbath of all those who have recently lost loved ones. Our physical lives are short and perhaps shorter than they could or should be, and the pain of losing those dear to us and the end of meaningful relationships can overwhelm us at times.

I still remember my 90 year old grandmother’s sorrow after losing her daughter, all of her friends and all of her siblings and cousins – she was the middle child in a family of 11 brothers and sisters and had outlived everyone.

I look in the mirror and wonder how 70+ years can go by so quickly, and perhaps many of us feel the same way.

But then Sabbath brings me back to the realization that our physical life need not be the end, but just the beginning of our  story. It is this hope that David sang of in his Psalms, the hope of ‘dwelling in the Lord’s house’ forever. It is the hope that Paul wrote about, when encouraging the brethren to keep the Sabbath as a weekly reminder of the Sabbath of rest in the Kingdom of God. May we all be encouraged this Sabbath with the hope God offers to us of an eternity of joy in his family.

·

June 8 was a special day for me in 1973 as it was the day of my baptism into the body of Christ at Bricketwood with Richard Plache performing the ceremony. I could not have anticipated the lifelong adventure that began that day.

Wishing everyone a refreshing Sabbath.

·

At a time when each week brings messages of chaos and confusion in the world, we who celebrate the Sabbath look forward to a time of peace, justice, and joy. This time will surely come.The Sabbath is a special time to reflect on this hope as our Creator works his plan to create eternal children in his image and likeness.

Just packed up 20 years of teaching materials from my classroom. Another chapter begins in my life story. Life is not a straight path but rather a meander through the woods. I took all the education courses available at AC with the hopes of getting my teaching degree after grad and a year of teacher training. All that changed when I married Jeff. It wasn’t until almost 30 years later that I went back to university and got my BEd. And now I’m making another step forward, but not sure where it will take me. Sabbath is a time to reflect, and God’s word in tandem with our personal experience offers much food for thought. Wishing all who are observing this Holy Day some time to reflect on the past and envision the future.

Summer is always a great time to sort through the boxes and reorder life. This time I found a packet of newsy letters I had sent to my parents during the last semester at Bricketwood. It’s amazing how many things one forgets over the passage of time, and only the highlights remain. It’s almost been like reading someone else’s life story as I’d forgotten so many details. But one thing I had not forgotten was my trip for the Spring Feast to visit Marie-Christine Grand (Gaudet) and her family in the south of France – Bordes de Riviere. What a wonderful opportunity that was to visit her family. We stayed in contact for many years and our Moms got to know each other. But I’ve lost contact with her. Does anyone know her whereabouts now?

Sabbath greetings to all and time to reminisce on this great journey of life that God has given us.

I’ve been starting to read the bible over again, but in French. It is interesting to compare this, La Bible de Jerusalem,  translation to  the familiar English version. Reading it has brought back so many memories of those college trips to Belgium, Paris, and Praz sur Arly where I struggled to use my ‘college French’ to listen to sermons, read the bible, and speak with the brethren.

Here is a photo of Praz for those who would remember their time there as students with M. Andriste and M.Apartian

One of the great benefits of being on campus was being able to walk to Sabbath services. Sometimes we forget that these simple things are a great blessing.

Prior to that time my family had a choice of meeting with Sabbath keeping congregations in either Toronto or Kitchener. So Sabbath services or Wednesday night bible studies meant an hour or more drive each way to attend services and enjoy fellowship. Over the past decade I have not been able to fellowship regularly due to environmental sensitivities, and being in large scented venues creates major health issues for me. So usually the best I can do for fellowship is facetime chats with friends and family. Wishing those who are observing the Sabbath the added joy of fellowship with other brethren.

I was reading Leviticus 25 about the land sabbaths and Jubilee and it brought to mind my favourite class at Bricketwood. Colin Sutcliffe taught Agronomy, and he was both a fascinating prof and so enthusiastic about his topic. I still remember his talks on the transformative power of the land sabbath, not only for agriculture but perhaps more importantly for its impact on the social organization of society and the family. It is difficult to imagine the kind of world where every seven years debts were released, the land was not cultivated, and the produce that was eaten was what had been stored the previous year or what had grown of itself. I only have a small suburban yard, but we’ve been able to grow an abundance of fruit, berries and veg here. But even here, a year without pruning, planting, and storing the year’s harvest affords a lot of extra time for other activities. Imagine a whole community following God’s instructions and reaping the benefits of extra time with family, or time to improve your property and community, or travel.

God’s instructions if applied with discernment and wisdom would truly be transformative.

Sabbath greetings to all.

PS: Our day lilies are blooming and we learned last year that they are edible … so quite the showy addition to a salad:)

I’m sure some of you are counting the weeks to the fall feast and have already made your plans to travel and celebrate Succoth/Feast of Tabernacles. Last year I was at home caring for Jeff and there have been a number of years when I could not attend a Feast site due to health issues. But this year I hope to travel with the family to celebrate with the brethren in Montana. My Feast memories go back to Jekyll Island Georgia and the Poconos in the 1960’s. and at college to Minehead in 1972.

Much has changed since then, but the anticipation and excitement of preparing for the Feast is still very much alive.

This time of year with our fruit harvest in full swing – plums, peaches, figs, blackberries – I am reminded of a sermon some years back that asked the question. “What was your harvest this year, spiritually speaking?” I have found this question to be a valuable one as we think ahead and prepare for the fall harvest and consider the many spiritual lessons associated with the harvest seasons and their symbolism in terms of God’s hope for humanity. Wishing you all time to reflect this Sabbath on the future that God envisions for us.

​The bees are enjoying the last few blossoms on our lavender and oregano. A couple more weeks and it will be ready to harvest.

Having worked in the kitchen at Bricketwood it was interesting to read in the article written by Colin Sutcliffe that a good portion of the food we ate came from the farm on campus.

Our family over the decades has tried to prioritize growing some of our own food, and I suppose for a small suburban lot our harvest this year of raspberries, plums and figs has been quite phenomenal. In the 3 places we have owned we attempted to grow our ‘vine and fig trees’ and enjoy our wee green spots. Bricketwood was such a delight with its open green spaces, lovely gardens and the farm. It is always a blessing to be able to enjoy the produce from your own land and then have something to share with others.

Sabbath greetings!

Enjoying an abundance of this year’s figs.

August brings back many memories . In August of 2004 we moved to England with 3 of our sons. We settled in the  Croydon area  to begin what we hoped would be a few years of teaching. It did not work out as planned but we had a good 5+ months there with some great opportunities for travel and fellowship.

One highlight was a Sabbath in the Bricketwood area with a welcoming group of brethren, and a games night after sunset. We also had a quick tour of the old campus, but it was sad to see the contrast between the present and the past and remember what had once been such a vibrant place full of learning and laughter.

It seems that there is truly a season or time for everything, and I suppose the seeds that were sown in Bricketwood 50+ years ago are still producing fruit even if the campus did not live on.

Wishing everyone  Sabbath peace and time to enjoy the fruits of your week’s labours.

Harvested our first grapes yesterday, so they will be a Sabbath morning treat

Perhaps like many of you, I found my ‘kindred spirit’ at AC and was married shortly after graduation. This weekend would have been our 49th anniversary. It was a blessing to have the shared college experience, lifelong friendships that developed there, and the blessing of church fellowships as we navigated lifes rapids together.over the years. Serving the church brethren was always a priority in our lives and Jeff was able to offer his talents in a variety of roles supporting several church of God fellowships. We took as our personal motto a sentiment from Isaiah, ‘God has given us the tongue of a teacher to comfort the weary with God’s word.’

Lately I have found a great deal of comfort in God’s promises and thought I would share some that were on Jeff’s mind in his last year.

Encouraging Promises

• Psalm 37:3-6 Holman Christian Standard Bible 3 Trust in the Lord and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act, 6 making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday.
• Psalm 37:23-31 New Living Translation 23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. 25 Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. 26 The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing. 27 Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever. 28 For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die. 29 The godly will possess the land and will live there forever. 30 The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. 31 They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from his path.
• Daniel 12:1-3 Amplified Bible 12 “Now at that [end] time Michael, the great [angelic] prince who stands guard over the children of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; but at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the Book [of Life], will be rescued. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake (resurrect), these to everlasting life, but some to disgrace and everlasting contempt (abhorrence). 3 Those who are [spiritually] wise will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, [will shine] like the stars forever and ever.
• 1 Peter 5:6-11 New Living Translation 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen.
• Hebrews 13:5-6 Amplified Bible 5 Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” 6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, “The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”
• Philippians 4:4-9 New Living Translation 4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Wishing everyone Sabbath peace and time to reflect with gratitude on all the blessings that have been ours on this amazing ‘magical mystery tour’ of life.

Sabbath down by the river has been a favourite place to sing hymns and fellowship.

I was reflecting this week on how unique our college experience was in that it allowed us to meet a great number of people in a safe and supportive environment. I have two married sons and two unmarried sons and finding women who share their values or interests in our present western culture is very challenging.

I explained to one son the AC expectation of having a ‘date’ for bible study, sabbath services, and other of the many college social events. This campus cultural practice and living in dorm situations helped us to quickly develop a circle of friends.

In many ways we were a  ‘village’ studying, working, and playing together in a safe environment and this made it much easier to meet people and eventually develop relationships that could lead to marriage. I feel for our children and grandchildren who are finding it difficult to navigate in the flow of a society where there are few safe places to meet others who might become life partners. ‘Busyness’ also works against the best interest of  finding someone to share life’s journey. Sabbath on campus and today is time apart from the hectic everyday pursuits to fellowship with others who share our values, hopes, and dreams.

Charlie Kirk’s decision to observe the Sabbath was something that I was not aware of until after his death. And yet he spoke eloquently of the personal need for a Sabbath rest each week that he might draw closer to God and have a space in time with his family and away from the worries of the world.

Sabbath was important for individuals but it was also a defining feature of supportive communities that valued God’s word. It was a special blessing to be in a place where most people rested on Sabbath, dedicated the day to learning more about God, fellowshipped and worshipped together.

Have you reconsidered the need for Sabbath in your life?

As Charlie learned, it’s a choice that brings many benefits.

Being on the AC campus on Sabbath was a real positive change from life in the work or school world outside. I appreciated the thoughtful way in which Sabbath duties were shared and meal prep was planned so that less time would be spent doing our regular daily chores. There was a spirit of joy and camaraderie in serving others without need for compensation.

We tried to recapture this when we would host weekend campouts, so that the Sabbath was a rest for everyone and the burden of food prep was minimized by planning ahead and sharing the kitchen duties.

A key message of the Feast of Trumpets has taken on much greater meaning over the years. Before going to college I had not really known anyone in my circle of friends and family who had experienced the death of a loved one. But since that time many I have known have ‘fallen asleep’ in death.

My hope is renewed in reading Paul’s encouraging words to the Thessalonians that speaks to the events symbolized by the Feast of Trumpets.

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.: 1Thessalonians 4

Wishing everyone celebrating this Holy Day L’shana tova

May we all be inscribed in the book of life.

Anyone starting to catch ‘Feast Fever’ now that we are only a few days from the Feast of Trumpets? I hope to be travelling this year to a Feast site in Glacier, Montana. It is amazing when I look back over the years of Feast-keeping and the wonderful opportunities we had to travel and meet brethren in a host of venues in the US, Canada, France, Belgium, England, Ireland, and the Caribbean. There were at leat 20 different places over 60 years. My first Feast was in Jekyll Island in 1965 , then the next few years were in the Poconos with family before I moved to BW for college.

The saying at one time was ‘keep the Feast and see the world’ and it has certainly been an opportunity over the years to travel and meet brethren from far-flung places. The past few years have been closer to home due to health issues, and often I could not attend services due to chemical sensitivities. However, we usually rented a spacious place that provided opportunities for fellowship and showing hospitality. The past few years the Feast also gave Jeff a break from his weekly Sabbath webcast so it was a more restful time for him. I would post his feast sermons daily on the website for those who were not able to travel to the Feast.

Wishing all those traveling to the Feast and those who are keeping the Feast at home an opportunity to be refreshed as you consider the encouraging messages of this time and focus on our hope of a world renewed under the rule of Jesus Christ.

If we are world-weary due to the events of recent days, Sabbath gives us a time to refocus and be encouraged as we rest in God’s promises. Sabbath peace to all.

On the Feast of Trumpets we began our count-down to the Feast of Tabernacles and our yearly rehearsal of the Psalms of Ascent. Sabbath marks Day 5 on the journey and gives us a hopeful message of deliverance.

Psalm 124

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,”

Let Israel now say—

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,

When men rose up against us,

Then they would have swallowed us alive,

When their wrath was kindled against us;

Then the waters would have overwhelmed us,

The stream would have gone over our soul;

Then the swollen waters

Would have gone over our soul.” Blessed be the Lord,

Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.

Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers;

The snare is broken, and we have escaped.

Our help is in the name of the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

God’s deliverance in our lives is no insignificant matter. How often have we faced dilemmas, hostility, irrational adversaries?

When the situation is beyond our ability to “live at peace with all men” we need God to intervene and provide a way of escape. And he does for those who call out to him in faith.

This year we are also hoping to do a family reading of the book of Deuteronomy during the Feast.

Do any of you have Feast traditions that you would share with the group?

Wishing you all Sabbath delight

Wishing you  a meaningful Yom Kippur./Day of Atonement

My favourite part of the day is thinking about the Jubilee year that is to be proclaimed on Atonement …a time of freedom from slavery, restoration, and a return to our inheritance. This is something the world truly needs.

It is never fun being sick, but being sick far away from home and living in a campus dormitory had even greater challenges. I still remember my roommates and friends having mercy on me and bringing me sustenance and providing company during a couple weeks of the ‘plague’ when I was bed-bound.  I still have fond memories of eating quantities of Jaffa oranges – those lovely sweet-tart navel oranges  -that were the only thing that I seemed to be able to tolerate. When we lived in California we had the delight of enjoying fresh oranges off of our own trees. They were a great tonic for whatever ails you. Today I’m nourishing myself with ginger, cloves, lemon tea and garlic in an attempt to combat his year’s dose of the pestilence:

Wishing everyone good health and a strong immune system. Hoping a Sabbath’s rest will bring some healing.

Only a couple more hours ’till sunset on this autumn Sabbath in Glacier, Montana. So for most of you Sabbath is already over. There had been a couple brief glimpses of radiant sunlight through the trees, but I was not quick on the draw with my computer to catch those glorious moments. My son came back from services with a mysterious ‘gift’ he had found en route. Could I guess what it was? And no wonder. He had found a Canadian penny from 1944 with King George VI image. We chatted a little bit about King George and recalled one of our all time favourite movies ‘The King’s Speech’ which had the reputation of being very close to the reality of the time and the characters.

I reminded my son of his maternal grandfather’s appreciation for George VI and the plaque that had been on my Dad’s wall from my earliest childhood. And now is in our home since Dad’s passing.

​My Dad had been a flight engineer during the war beginning in his late teens/early 20’s and having survived the war in the ferry command he had his definite opinions on politics, leadership, and war in general.

Dad was not an overtly ‘religious man, though most Canadians of his generation held certain common Christian beliefs. However, I did hear others speak of Dad’s generosity, his concern for the less fortunate. his honesty, and integrity. .He suffered many upsets and reversals in his life, but he always rose to the challenge..

Perhaps, the quote by King George on Dad’s wall was more than a piece of family memorabilia inherited from his mother. It was a guiding principle.

“And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown'” He replied, “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be better than light – and safer than a known way”.

The final Psalm of Ascent – Psalm 134 that was read in the temple on the eve of the first day of the Feast.

Well all the family made it to Glacier … God has been merciful. I am not well, but could be worse.

What have you decided to do to celebrate the Feast?

I hope those who value God’s holy day will be able to find others to fellowship with during this special time as we consider God’s wonderful plan of salvation for humanity.

Recently, I found letters that my Mom had saved, that I had written in 1974. Reading them was a real trip down memory lane until I came to one written in August that really stumped me as I wrote of things that I had totally forgotten. This letter chronicled my trip from my home in Burlington, Ontario to the Pasadena campus after BW had closed.

Does anyone else have memories of this transition period between leaving BW and restarting campus life in Pasadena?

I’m sure it was a tumultuous time for many as old plans were thrown to the winds and new plans were envisioned.

Sabbath is always a good time to reflect with gratitude on the past and this great adventure of life that we have been given as a blessing from our Creator.

Thanksgiving blessing to all of my American friends

A LIfe worth LIving

Is it visions of lofty peaks

where haughty eagles soar,

or sheer canyon walls

where boiling waters roar?

Is it serene mirror lakes

where graceful herons nest,

or quiet sun-specked glades

where fawn and doe find rest?

This all adds to life it’s true

but is there something more?

Savour birds sweet melodies

that greet us every morn,

or the rustling music of the leaves

which on the wind are borne?

Feel the roar of ocean waves

as they pounce upon the shore,

or the beat of fife and drum

that thrills us to the core.

These all add to life it’s true

but is there something more?

Sense the caress of summer breezes

soft against the skin,

or plunge in spring cold waters

to that tingly feeling within.

Tender the touch of mellow sun

soft and rosy bright,

or  the shiver chasing warmth

that comes by firelight

Yes, these add to life it’s true

but is there something more?

Sample tempting tasty treats

grapes fresh from the vine,

and the palate pleasing joys

of sipping summer’s wine.

Or roast turkey, golden brown,

served with yams and peas,

the delight of peach or plum

picked straight from off your trees.

These all add to life you say

but is there something more?

Recall the scent of lilacs perfume

that lingers on the flower,

or the damp leafy smells

of autumn in the bower.

Whether the luscious enticement

of sweet rolls as they bake,

or the faint fishy whiffs as

the sunset shimmers on the lake.

These all add to life that’s so

but is there something more?

How sad we’d be if all alone

our senses we could fill,

without someone to share our joy

where would be the thrill?

But there is joy in knowing

we have those who care.

we have friends who love us

whose hopes and dreams we share.

This adds spice to life it’s true

and still there’s something more.

Our children’s eye-bright smiles

are day to day pleasures

our love’s firm embraces

are moments we treasure.

The comfort of parents, whose

insights we trust

To cherish  family living

is something we must

to make life secure and full

but yet there’s something more.

The time we’re given to live each day

is just the very start,

there’s endless time yet ahead

and we can have a part

by learning God’s lessons of love

with friends and family

we have the hope of sharing our lives

from now into infinity.

This makes life worth living  and

our reasons for thanksgiving

A rainy Sabbath day on Vancouver Island, and it reminds me of my times in England…damp and cold! We harvested some English ivy from the local woods (it is an invasive species here) but I’ve potted some up for houseplants as English Evy is one of the best plants for improving indoor air quality. It is especially effective in dealing with mold, and with the damp and cold this becomes important.

My sojourns in England also bring to mind my love of plants. The BW campus was a true paradise for anyone who appreciated  gardens. Later, in 2004-05, we were able to visit Kew Gardens and the Eden Project  Two outstanding examples of English horticulture. The photo is of the Eden Project in Cornwall that has grown considerably in 20 years.

It makes me wonder what the Garden of Eden was like? Something to think about this Sabbath, a day that is a memorial of that great Gardener and his first garden.

I graduated from AC in 1976 and like many of my classmates I was married a few months after graduation. So for some of you who were also married then and are still married ,2026 marks a jubilee, 50 years of life together.

In a time when many relationships are very transitory, 50 years of sharing life’s journey is quite a remarkable milestone.

So I’m sending my heartfelt congratulations to those who have hit the 50 mile marker on this path, and my wishes for you that you will have many more miles together.

Some years ago as Jeff and I were writing about marriage in our book ‘Walk a Straight Path’ I wrote this poem to encourage us in our service to God as married couples.

Sabbath greetings to all

I was reposting one of Jeff’s sermons where he relates his travels in the Sinai with Major Rotham and this reminded me that Brian Hickson had sent me a PDF in which he talked about his travels. Here is an excerpt from his memoire, 1973 Tzora and Sinai:

“You know,” said Chris. “I’d love to go down to Sinai again. I might hire a guide or just drive down in the Landrover.”

“You’ve got a Landrover?” asked Major Rotham.

“Yes, all I need is someone, who knows the area.”

“Well, I’d like another look round it myself,” said the Major. “As you know, I used to be the military governor of the area. You give me a lift down there and you’ve got a guide!”

“You’re on!” said Chris.

So there we all were in the Landrover- Andy and me, with time off from the kibbutz. Chris and his brother, Jeff, another young Israeli and Major Rotham. Jammed into the back was enough gear to last us a month- food, alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages- otherwise known as booze and fizz- sleeping bags, cooking kit, washing kit, kitchen sink, the lot. And so we drove down to Sinai- us, kit and all- with the best guide in all of Sinai.

Major Rotham. A very distinguished man. He came from Russia originally and was in the Jewish Palestinian Haganah in his youth. That was when the British still had the place. The Haganah had all their training in secret and, as the climax of the year, they’d go off into the desert and fire…one round.

During world war 2 he joined the British army. He was in a very famous regiment- the Buffs. (This was the same regiment as my Godfather, but in a different area. He fought in Italy and my Godfather fought in Burma.) He showed us a photo of Sergeant Mishka Rabinovich, as he was then, a handsome, rugged looking man with a beautiful waxed moustache a bit like the Kaiser’s. He did rather well in the British army and we spent a pleasant couple of days taking the Mickie out of the British army drill pigs.

In 1948 he fought in Jerusalem. He was wounded in the hand by a home made mortar but carried on fighting and took over the Jewish armoured corps in Jerusalem- about three captured armoured cars.” …

I was wondering if some of you who were on the ‘Digs’ in Israel with the college could share some of your experiences.

I’d always dreamed of going to Israel, but our attempts to make the dream a reality as a family did not work out. But that’s a long story. Jeff’s trips to Israel however were high points in his life that brought back significant memories.

Wishing everyone a restful Sabbath and the joy that comes with remembering some of life’s high points.

Is it true that time goes ‘faster’ as you age. It certainly seems that way to me. The days are gone in a flash and the weeks zip by in a blur.

So here I am beginning another Sabbath, and wondering where the week has gone.

We had a brief few minutes of sun just a while before sunset as it burst through to reveal a patch of bright blue sky, amidst the ominous grey rain clouds.  We have had another week of constant rain, but perhaps I should count it as a blessing after hearing from many to the East and South of us who are experiencing significant winter storms and huge snowfalls.

I hope, wherever you are, that you are warm and dry and able to cope with the worst that winter can dish out.

But I know spring is around the corner as the heather is blooming and I saw my first snowdrops in our neighbourhood.

Sabbath greetings to all.

Under the weather again and longing for some tart sweet Jaffa navel oranges that were my only food during a bout of flu at AC. My considerate roomies kept my orange supply in stock along with cups of tea, while I curled under the covers or wrapped myself in sweaters and blankets in order to retreat to the prayer closet when the sun came shining through the window. These days it is hard to find great oranges, though Buck Brand is often the best available here. Of course there was nothing quite like picking them off of our own trees in Altadena and Ramona.

But for ‘fluish’ remedies these days the old go-to is lemon, honey and ginger with perhaps a clove, black pepper corn, and a sprinkle of cinnamon and cayenne.  My Mom’s old recipe would have been made with a base of chamomile tea and some raw garlic:) So with the Sabbath almost here once again, I will certainly be ‘resting’ and hopefully will be up for a little on-line fellowship, as long as I don’t have to do the talking.

But my minor suffering this week is inconsequential when compared to that of others.

It has been a brutal week for many here in British Columbia, and having worked as a high school teacher, I can only imagine the great heartache of all the students, parents, and staff who are in anguish over the school shooting. 

When such tragedy strikes it is time to support those who are suffering as we are able. And for those not intimately involved it is time for us to take stock and  consider our own lives and the state of our community.

It is a good time on Sabbath to re-examine, reflect, and ask important questions.  so we will not walk in darkness but will choose to walk in the light.

Sabbath peace to all.

Many of us will remember from student days that one of Herbert Armstrong’s favourite Sabbath sermon themes revolved around the importance of ‘having the big picture,’

Through the years I have found this axiom to be helpful, in many different circumstances, but especially my teaching career.

It was brought to mind this morning while listening to an elder from Kenya who is too young to have listened to Herbert Armstrong. He was making the point that God is who he is and he does not change, unlike us mere mortals, God never has doubts, worries, or anxieties. God never has to wonder if he did or said the ‘right thing.’ God does not worry about whether he has intervened at the right time. God never has to question his reasoning or doubt his rationale.  God has or perhaps he ‘is’ the big picture view. He is the author and sustainer of reality.

Now we, on the other hand, can get very tied up in ourselves, or our situations in life and we are often overwhelmed, distractable, flighty, inconsistent, anxious, even double-minded.

This is one reason I value the Sabbath…

especially when it has been one of life’s more challenging weeks full of discouraging news of illness and trials among brethren, family and friends.

God sets this sanctuary in time apart weekly to commune individually and collectively with those who are wanting to see the ‘big picture’ of reality as God sees it – through a clear lens with no shadows or distortions. This is a life-long endeavour and each Sabbath brings us one step closer to understanding the ‘big picture’ For, the more you know God, the more you realize there is more to know in order to align our lives more perfectly with his unchanging loving loyalty and faithfulness. For after all, we are his children, and he wants us to become like him.

I was ten years old when my family began observing the Sabbath, so presently I have had the blessing of about 3170 Sabbaths, but I’m hoping for a few more:)

Wishing you all the comfort and peace that comes with this sanctuary in time. Shabbat shalom.

I just saw another post about college friends who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. What a wonderful milestone. 2026 would have been 50 years for Jeff and me too. It is a wonderful blessing to have someone to share life’s journey with all its hills and valleys, and opportunities for renewal and growth.

But here we are once again as a new year is about to begin and I see the first signs of spring on the island.  The grape hyacinth is blooming, I have one lone daffodil that is flowering, and the hazelnuts are full of catkins. Yesterday, I saw the first of the plum blossoms opening, so the circle of life begins once again with the promise of a bountiful harvest.

While our world may be turbulent and full of angst, the cycle of the seasons and the constancy of God’s handiwork remains a source of stability and solace. Sabbath is a great time to ponder God’s faithfulness as reflected in the amazing yearly patterns of growth and renewal.

“While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.”

Genesis 8

Another year is about to begin March 19 or Nisan/Abib 1. Working in the kitchen at AC this was a very busy time of year with spring feast preparations and ‘deleavening’ under way.

Passover is just over two weeks away so I’m sure a lot of you are making plans for this season and perhaps pulling out your favourite recipes for unleavened bread. I have such positive memories of serving at church potlucks during the spring Holy Days and preparing special dishes for these events.

My sons recently reminded me of cream puffs that were an unleavened bread treat in my childhood, as were popovers for Sabbath morning breakfast, or crepes served with whipped cream and  berries in their youth.

Wishing everyone a memorable Sabbath as we look forward to Passover and beginning our yearly rehearsal of God’s great plan for humanity.

A friend posted this quote recently that spoke to me:

“How many times have you noticed that it’s the little quiet moments in the midst of life that seem to give the rest extra-special meaning?”- Fred “Mister”Rogers

He was not talking about the Sabbath, but it seems that on the Sabbath we find  more opportunities to share those ‘quiet moments’ that give meaning to life.

The Sabbath rest always took on special import when we’d had  especially long or intense hours of work during the week.

One of the blessings of college was having work during the week. And not only the mental ‘work’ of classes and studying, but the physical work on campus. Both were valuable learning experiences and brought balance, and this busy-ness made you appreciate Sabbath’s quiet moments all the more.

I have now retired from a teaching career where the work week was always demanding, but I had the flexibility to build into the schedule times of mental and physical activity.

Being retired, it is a new challenge to find and organize ‘work’ that engages mind and body and makes me feel satisfied with my week’s efforts, especially when the body is weak and unable to sustain normal activities.

And yet, Sabbath offers extra-special meaning beyond rest. It is  a sense of completion and satisfaction with an opportunity to  be still and have those special quiet moments in God’s presence where our spirit is refreshed and our hope renewed.

Wishing all of you the benefits of Sabbath’s quiet moments of reflection.

Passover is only a few days away, so I thought I’d share one of my poems for the season for this week’s ‘Sabbath note.’:

WHO IS THIS?

Who is this who says, “I am.”

The one who led them through the sea,

laid Egypt waste to set them free.

Cooling mist, fiery light,

leading them by day and night.

Who is this? “He’s just a man.”

Young and daring, stocky, strong,

passing unnoticed among the throng.

Lively eyes, friendly face

of fear or scorn there’s not a trace.

How could this be the great “I am”?

The captain of angelic hosts,

Joshua’s LORD in whom he boasts.

Walls fell flat by his will,

He gave the word, the sun stood still.

Weary,  he sleeps like other men.

Simple pleasures suit him fine,

bread, figs, fish and wine.

Vibrant laugh, tear-stained cheek

confronting the base, comforting the weak.

“God’s my father,” claims the man.

The blind eyes see, the lame now walk,

in the temple those who mock,

the money grubbers selling wares

are roughly herded down the stairs.

A paradox whether God or man.

Sage or prophet who forgives the guilty.

Few dare deny his divine abilities.

Terror to hypocrites, exposing the ‘wise.’

but children or strangers he won’t despise.

Is this “I am” who changes not?

His voice thundered, the people shook.

He wrote the Words in the Book ⎯

peace, long life liberty.

“If you knew Moses, you’ll know me.”

Who is this who says, “I am.”

Could he be both God and man?

by Rebecca Stewart

Wishing everyone the blessings of God”s spring feast season, and time for reflection on this ‘Great Sabbath’ before Passover.

Greetings to all my AC friends. Perhaps many in Australia have already enjoyed an evening of fellowship and reminiscing about their walk with God. But here on Vancouver Ilsland, tonight is the beginning of NIsan/Abib 15, the memorial of the leaving of Egypt during the time of the Exodus. Let’s consider the lessons to be learned from the Exodus and appreciate the many ways that we have experienced God’s deliverance in our lives.

LEAVING EGYPT

Free at last, free at last,

no more feeling the whip or lash.

No more toil in the blazing sun.

We rest at peace when the day is done.

Freedom’s taste lingers sweet.

We sing with thanks to our drumming feet.

The joy we share as we march along

is the heart and soul of freedom’s song.

We’ve left that harsh and lawless land

to trek across the desert sand.

Together we will learn anew

to worship Him in all that’s true.

Free to choose to follow Him

or led astray by our own whim.

We’ve laboured without sabbath rest

but now He puts us to the test.

Slaves no more, now we’re free

to choose love, law, and liberty.

Faith must g

uide us to obey

laws written in our hearts each day.

Rebecca Stewart

Greetings on the last Sabbath of the Passover season. I am thankful for God’s love in providing us with his word, and his Sabbaths that give us hope for humanity and offer us weekly and yearly reminders of his plan for us as his children.

This year my son and daughter-in-law made a traditional beef brisket for Passover, instead of lamb. It was delicious. But it brought back a funny memory of AC and vats (disgusting)  of corned beef  brisket that were cooked up for the spring Holy Days.

I worked in the kitchen in Bricketwood and Pasadena, but memory fails me when it comes to how we ‘deleavened’ and what kind of unleavenened bread we baked for the occasion. Can anyone remember what we did?

Our experience at college and in our church community was truly unique in many ways. One way that is still truly remarkable is the benefit of having friends and brethren all around the world who are willing to offer hospitality. My son and family recently traveled along the West Coast and were hosted by brethren they had not met before and were welcomed warmly into their congregation for the spring Holy Days.

In college, I had this experience of fellowship with brethren in different congregations with our trips to Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, and across the US. When working for the French department with Dibar Apartian in Pasadena, Jeff made it a priority to visit French-speaking areas and we had great memories of the hospitality shown us in Paris, in the Pyrenees in France, in Guadeloupe, and Quebec. Then more recently, we were blessed with opportunities for friendship and fellowship with brethren in England when we spent some months teaching in Croydon and then later in Ireland for the Feast.

It was always a delight for us living in Pasadena to be able to host our brethren from around the world and share their life experiences . And even here on Vancouver Island we have had the blessing of sharing our home and ‘catching up’ on the life stories of many who have stopped our way over the years.

So sending Sabbath wishes and hopes for continued fellowship to enrich our lives by sharing our hearts.

One thing I really miss about not being able to fellowship with a congregation is the singing. I do have such fond memories of singing together. The singing class at Bricketwood,.and the Sabbath morning hymn sings after brunch in Pasadena were special delights for me. There was nothing quite like the powerful experience of being at a Feast site and singing along with thousands of others. I was reading recently about Hezekiah and Josiah and their celebrations and how vital music and singing were in renewing the worship of the Lord God of Israel.

After multiple bouts of bronchitis recently I have lost my singing voice and would dealry love to be able to sing once again. In the meanwhile, I do what I can to croak along on our weekly family hymn sing:)

Wishing you all Sabbath blessings and the gift of song to celebrate God’s wonders.

Can you believe it is already May?? And we are having an unusually warm sunny summer-like day .

Listened to a message this morning about gratitude, then talked to a friend who I’ve known for almost 50 years. This made me think about  the apostle  Paul’s constant expression of thanks for the people who had walked with him and shared his journeys. College provided a treasure trove of friendships many of which have continued until now.

One of God’s great blessings is a lifetime of friendships and the gift of companionship that we have enjoyed. Sometimes it is worthwhile to consider the value that has been added to our life by others and to reflect on how different life would have been without their support and encouragement.

Who we are today relates in some measure  to our level of gratitude for and to those who have stood by us and walked with us.

Wishing you all time to reflect, the joy of fond memories, and the gratitude that transforms us,  as you finish this Sabbath day.9iSabbath Reflections 2025-26

Sabbath Greetings.

How often the emotional landscape seems to mirror the weather. It has been a week with bright summer sun, glowing white clouds, dark grey mountains bringing a soaking rain and even a rare roll of thunder.

Sometimes life is just such a tumultuous mix of sunshine and showers, gratitude and grief.

Sabbath gives us a moment to pause, take a breath and put things into perspective. Both sun and showers are necessary, though both the heat and the downpour may not have been appreciated at the time.

I picked our first 2 small zucchini and enjoyed them in a beef stir-fry last night. They were harvested from the 3 pots along my driveway that Phinehas (2yrs 0ld) helped me plant with seed a few weeks ago. This miracle of growth is not without its traumas, for out of 12 seeds I have 4 healthy plants. Some seeds did not germinate, while others just sprouted in time to be consumed by hungry snails. And growing in pots and using city water is a less than ideal environment even with decent soil. There is a lesson here in gratitude for what is gained amidst grief for what was lost or what could have been.

I wrote a poem decades ago and found it again and it still speaks to me of the joys and sorrows of life through the metaphor of clouds.

Clouds

Cooling gauzy mists frost

a thirsty world with life’s dew

but retreat under sun’s bold stare.

Bright puffs chased by playful winds

frolic in joyful abandon

to the tune of summer’s zephyr.

A great coarse gray shroud

slouching morose and melancholy

there’s no escaping it’s moody presence.

Billowy, froth of white

the glorious veil on a blue sky bride

the crown to a day’s celebration.

Icy wisps, aloof and distant

unfeeling, uncaring, untouched

by Sol’s pallid winter radiance.

Sailing ships on celestial seas

proudly decked in full canvas

passing in dignified procession.

Gray battalions approach reassuringly

but tramp by methodically

dashing hopes of needed showers.

Massive mountains of pent-up fury

black, foreboding, their roaring rumble

harbinger of devastating destruction.

Frigid azure skies flee in silent terror

with this tidal wave comes the whiteout

where no voice is heard above the howl.

Abalone’s opalescence back-lit

by daffodil spokes of gentle rays

a soothing serenity ushers storm’s end.

Sunset soaked crimson streamers

vividly herald twilight’s coming

a splendid parade in vibrant hues.

Clouds, mirror of many moods,

the emotions of each day played

in mime, on the face of the heavens.

Sabbath has always been family time. As children, it was Friday evenings playing games together,  the long drive to and from Sabbath services playing our bible version of 10 questions, or the walks in the local gardens as a detour on our way home. With our own children, Friday evening meant  a special meal, with candles, music, and a  blessing to begin the Sabbath. Sabbath brunch was often pancakes with maple syrup – a favourite treat. After Sabbath services we always tried to have time to explore local parks, beaches, and woods, or to relax together enjoying our ‘wee green spot’ at home especially on those lovely long summer Sabbath evenings when sunset was after 9:00pm. How did your family make Sabbath a special family time each week?

Yesterday I enjoyed a slow meander through the wonders of Cathedral Grove, a truly magnificent tribute to the Creator’s handiwork canopied in towering Douglas fir, western red cedar, and big leaf maple, and carpeted in moss, fern, and salal. No matter where you live, God’s wonders can be seen in the things he has made for our enjoyment. Here on Vancouver Island we are blessed with great vistas of beach and ocean, ancient woodlands, frothy waterfalls, and forested mountains.

Wishing you all the joy of exploring and appreciating this miracle of an earthly home tailored to peak our curiosity and enrapture our imagination. What are some of the natural wonders in your region of the world?

Wishing everyone Sabbath rest and time to reflect on the miracle of creation.

The sun is now peeking out behind the clouds after a tumultuous morning and afternoon with alternating mountainous grey clouds with downpours and brief moments of bright sunshine. So is this how June will be this year? The rhododendron have lost most of their blooms, but the roses are just coming into their glory.

To me, Sabbath and gardens are memories linked over the decades. As a young teen our family loved to go to the Royal Botanical gardens Sabbath afternoons and explore the sunken gardens, the lilac bowl, or the iris garden. At Bricketwood I often found my way to the Japanese garden for a quiet place to relax and enjoy the azaleas and Japanese maple. In Pasadena as a student the Italian garden was a haven of Sabbath peace.

Later, as a family we made regular trips to the Arboretum, Huntington Gardens, and Descanso gardens on Sabbath as they were great places for us to wander and appreciate God’s love of gardens. Of course, He was the first great gardener and Sabbath was his chance to rest and enjoy the beauty of the garden he had created with his children. So Eden and Sabbath are inextricably tied the one to the other. Both the garden, a place of beauty and refreshing, and the Sabbath, a time to be refreshed and restored are blessings derived from God’s ‘chesed’, his loving loyalty, and his ‘ahavah’ his personal affection for us.

Giving thanks to God for these two wonderful gifts.

Thinking this Sabbath of all those who have recently lost loved ones. Our physical lives are short and perhaps shorter than they could or should be, and the pain of losing those dear to us and the end of meaningful relationships can overwhelm us at times.

I still remember my 90 year old grandmother’s sorrow after losing her daughter, all of her friends and all of her siblings and cousins – she was the middle child in a family of 11 brothers and sisters and had outlived everyone.

I look in the mirror and wonder how 70+ years can go by so quickly, and perhaps many of us feel the same way.

But then Sabbath brings me back to the realization that our physical life need not be the end, but just the beginning of our  story. It is this hope that David sang of in his Psalms, the hope of ‘dwelling in the Lord’s house’ forever. It is the hope that Paul wrote about, when encouraging the brethren to keep the Sabbath as a weekly reminder of the Sabbath of rest in the Kingdom of God. May we all be encouraged this Sabbath with the hope God offers to us of an eternity of joy in his family.

·

June 8 was a special day for me in 1973 as it was the day of my baptism into the body of Christ at Bricketwood with Richard Plache performing the ceremony. I could not have anticipated the lifelong adventure that began that day.

Wishing everyone a refreshing Sabbath.

·

At a time when each week brings messages of chaos and confusion in the world, we who celebrate the Sabbath look forward to a time of peace, justice, and joy. This time will surely come.The Sabbath is a special time to reflect on this hope as our Creator works his plan to create eternal children in his image and likeness.

Just packed up 20 years of teaching materials from my classroom. Another chapter begins in my life story. Life is not a straight path but rather a meander through the woods. I took all the education courses available at AC with the hopes of getting my teaching degree after grad and a year of teacher training. All that changed when I married Jeff. It wasn’t until almost 30 years later that I went back to university and got my BEd. And now I’m making another step forward, but not sure where it will take me. Sabbath is a time to reflect, and God’s word in tandem with our personal experience offers much food for thought. Wishing all who are observing this Holy Day some time to reflect on the past and envision the future.

Summer is always a great time to sort through the boxes and reorder life. This time I found a packet of newsy letters I had sent to my parents during the last semester at Bricketwood. It’s amazing how many things one forgets over the passage of time, and only the highlights remain. It’s almost been like reading someone else’s life story as I’d forgotten so many details. But one thing I had not forgotten was my trip for the Spring Feast to visit Marie-Christine Grand (Gaudet) and her family in the south of France – Bordes de Riviere. What a wonderful opportunity that was to visit her family. We stayed in contact for many years and our Moms got to know each other. But I’ve lost contact with her. Does anyone know her whereabouts now?

Sabbath greetings to all and time to reminisce on this great journey of life that God has given us.

I’ve been starting to read the bible over again, but in French. It is interesting to compare this, La Bible de Jerusalem,  translation to  the familiar English version. Reading it has brought back so many memories of those college trips to Belgium, Paris, and Praz sur Arly where I struggled to use my ‘college French’ to listen to sermons, read the bible, and speak with the brethren.

Here is a photo of Praz for those who would remember their time there as students with M. Andriste and M.Apartian

One of the great benefits of being on campus was being able to walk to Sabbath services. Sometimes we forget that these simple things are a great blessing.

Prior to that time my family had a choice of meeting with Sabbath keeping congregations in either Toronto or Kitchener. So Sabbath services or Wednesday night bible studies meant an hour or more drive each way to attend services and enjoy fellowship. Over the past decade I have not been able to fellowship regularly due to environmental sensitivities, and being in large scented venues creates major health issues for me. So usually the best I can do for fellowship is facetime chats with friends and family. Wishing those who are observing the Sabbath the added joy of fellowship with other brethren.

I was reading Leviticus 25 about the land sabbaths and Jubilee and it brought to mind my favourite class at Bricketwood. Colin Sutcliffe taught Agronomy, and he was both a fascinating prof and so enthusiastic about his topic. I still remember his talks on the transformative power of the land sabbath, not only for agriculture but perhaps more importantly for its impact on the social organization of society and the family. It is difficult to imagine the kind of world where every seven years debts were released, the land was not cultivated, and the produce that was eaten was what had been stored the previous year or what had grown of itself. I only have a small suburban yard, but we’ve been able to grow an abundance of fruit, berries and veg here. But even here, a year without pruning, planting, and storing the year’s harvest affords a lot of extra time for other activities. Imagine a whole community following God’s instructions and reaping the benefits of extra time with family, or time to improve your property and community, or travel.

God’s instructions if applied with discernment and wisdom would truly be transformative.

Sabbath greetings to all.

PS: Our day lilies are blooming and we learned last year that they are edible … so quite the showy addition to a salad:)

I’m sure some of you are counting the weeks to the fall feast and have already made your plans to travel and celebrate Succoth/Feast of Tabernacles. Last year I was at home caring for Jeff and there have been a number of years when I could not attend a Feast site due to health issues. But this year I hope to travel with the family to celebrate with the brethren in Montana. My Feast memories go back to Jekyll Island Georgia and the Poconos in the 1960’s. and at college to Minehead in 1972.

Much has changed since then, but the anticipation and excitement of preparing for the Feast is still very much alive.

This time of year with our fruit harvest in full swing – plums, peaches, figs, blackberries – I am reminded of a sermon some years back that asked the question. “What was your harvest this year, spiritually speaking?” I have found this question to be a valuable one as we think ahead and prepare for the fall harvest and consider the many spiritual lessons associated with the harvest seasons and their symbolism in terms of God’s hope for humanity. Wishing you all time to reflect this Sabbath on the future that God envisions for us.

​The bees are enjoying the last few blossoms on our lavender and oregano. A couple more weeks and it will be ready to harvest.

Having worked in the kitchen at Bricketwood it was interesting to read in the article written by Colin Sutcliffe that a good portion of the food we ate came from the farm on campus.

Our family over the decades has tried to prioritize growing some of our own food, and I suppose for a small suburban lot our harvest this year of raspberries, plums and figs has been quite phenomenal. In the 3 places we have owned we attempted to grow our ‘vine and fig trees’ and enjoy our wee green spots. Bricketwood was such a delight with its open green spaces, lovely gardens and the farm. It is always a blessing to be able to enjoy the produce from your own land and then have something to share with others.

Sabbath greetings!

Enjoying an abundance of this year’s figs.

August brings back many memories . In August of 2004 we moved to England with 3 of our sons. We settled in the  Croydon area  to begin what we hoped would be a few years of teaching. It did not work out as planned but we had a good 5+ months there with some great opportunities for travel and fellowship.

One highlight was a Sabbath in the Bricketwood area with a welcoming group of brethren, and a games night after sunset. We also had a quick tour of the old campus, but it was sad to see the contrast between the present and the past and remember what had once been such a vibrant place full of learning and laughter.

It seems that there is truly a season or time for everything, and I suppose the seeds that were sown in Bricketwood 50+ years ago are still producing fruit even if the campus did not live on.

Wishing everyone  Sabbath peace and time to enjoy the fruits of your week’s labours.

Harvested our first grapes yesterday, so they will be a Sabbath morning treat

Perhaps like many of you, I found my ‘kindred spirit’ at AC and was married shortly after graduation. This weekend would have been our 49th anniversary. It was a blessing to have the shared college experience, lifelong friendships that developed there, and the blessing of church fellowships as we navigated lifes rapids together.over the years. Serving the church brethren was always a priority in our lives and Jeff was able to offer his talents in a variety of roles supporting several church of God fellowships. We took as our personal motto a sentiment from Isaiah, ‘God has given us the tongue of a teacher to comfort the weary with God’s word.’

Lately I have found a great deal of comfort in God’s promises and thought I would share some that were on Jeff’s mind in his last year.

Encouraging Promises

• Psalm 37:3-6 Holman Christian Standard Bible 3 Trust in the Lord and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act, 6 making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday.
• Psalm 37:23-31 New Living Translation 23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. 25 Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. 26 The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing. 27 Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever. 28 For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die. 29 The godly will possess the land and will live there forever. 30 The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. 31 They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from his path.
• Daniel 12:1-3 Amplified Bible 12 “Now at that [end] time Michael, the great [angelic] prince who stands guard over the children of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; but at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the Book [of Life], will be rescued. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake (resurrect), these to everlasting life, but some to disgrace and everlasting contempt (abhorrence). 3 Those who are [spiritually] wise will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, [will shine] like the stars forever and ever.
• 1 Peter 5:6-11 New Living Translation 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen.
• Hebrews 13:5-6 Amplified Bible 5 Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” 6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, “The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”
• Philippians 4:4-9 New Living Translation 4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Wishing everyone Sabbath peace and time to reflect with gratitude on all the blessings that have been ours on this amazing ‘magical mystery tour’ of life.

Sabbath down by the river has been a favourite place to sing hymns and fellowship.

I was reflecting this week on how unique our college experience was in that it allowed us to meet a great number of people in a safe and supportive environment. I have two married sons and two unmarried sons and finding women who share their values or interests in our present western culture is very challenging.

I explained to one son the AC expectation of having a ‘date’ for bible study, sabbath services, and other of the many college social events. This campus cultural practice and living in dorm situations helped us to quickly develop a circle of friends.

In many ways we were a  ‘village’ studying, working, and playing together in a safe environment and this made it much easier to meet people and eventually develop relationships that could lead to marriage. I feel for our children and grandchildren who are finding it difficult to navigate in the flow of a society where there are few safe places to meet others who might become life partners. ‘Busyness’ also works against the best interest of  finding someone to share life’s journey. Sabbath on campus and today is time apart from the hectic everyday pursuits to fellowship with others who share our values, hopes, and dreams.

Charlie Kirk’s decision to observe the Sabbath was something that I was not aware of until after his death. And yet he spoke eloquently of the personal need for a Sabbath rest each week that he might draw closer to God and have a space in time with his family and away from the worries of the world.

Sabbath was important for individuals but it was also a defining feature of supportive communities that valued God’s word. It was a special blessing to be in a place where most people rested on Sabbath, dedicated the day to learning more about God, fellowshipped and worshipped together.

Have you reconsidered the need for Sabbath in your life?

As Charlie learned, it’s a choice that brings many benefits.

Being on the AC campus on Sabbath was a real positive change from life in the work or school world outside. I appreciated the thoughtful way in which Sabbath duties were shared and meal prep was planned so that less time would be spent doing our regular daily chores. There was a spirit of joy and camaraderie in serving others without need for compensation.

We tried to recapture this when we would host weekend campouts, so that the Sabbath was a rest for everyone and the burden of food prep was minimized by planning ahead and sharing the kitchen duties.

A key message of the Feast of Trumpets has taken on much greater meaning over the years. Before going to college I had not really known anyone in my circle of friends and family who had experienced the death of a loved one. But since that time many I have known have ‘fallen asleep’ in death.

My hope is renewed in reading Paul’s encouraging words to the Thessalonians that speaks to the events symbolized by the Feast of Trumpets.

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.: 1Thessalonians 4

Wishing everyone celebrating this Holy Day L’shana tova

May we all be inscribed in the book of life.

Anyone starting to catch ‘Feast Fever’ now that we are only a few days from the Feast of Trumpets? I hope to be travelling this year to a Feast site in Glacier, Montana. It is amazing when I look back over the years of Feast-keeping and the wonderful opportunities we had to travel and meet brethren in a host of venues in the US, Canada, France, Belgium, England, Ireland, and the Caribbean. There were at leat 20 different places over 60 years. My first Feast was in Jekyll Island in 1965 , then the next few years were in the Poconos with family before I moved to BW for college.

The saying at one time was ‘keep the Feast and see the world’ and it has certainly been an opportunity over the years to travel and meet brethren from far-flung places. The past few years have been closer to home due to health issues, and often I could not attend services due to chemical sensitivities. However, we usually rented a spacious place that provided opportunities for fellowship and showing hospitality. The past few years the Feast also gave Jeff a break from his weekly Sabbath webcast so it was a more restful time for him. I would post his feast sermons daily on the website for those who were not able to travel to the Feast.

Wishing all those traveling to the Feast and those who are keeping the Feast at home an opportunity to be refreshed as you consider the encouraging messages of this time and focus on our hope of a world renewed under the rule of Jesus Christ.

If we are world-weary due to the events of recent days, Sabbath gives us a time to refocus and be encouraged as we rest in God’s promises. Sabbath peace to all.

On the Feast of Trumpets we began our count-down to the Feast of Tabernacles and our yearly rehearsal of the Psalms of Ascent. Sabbath marks Day 5 on the journey and gives us a hopeful message of deliverance.

Psalm 124

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,”

Let Israel now say—

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,

When men rose up against us,

Then they would have swallowed us alive,

When their wrath was kindled against us;

Then the waters would have overwhelmed us,

The stream would have gone over our soul;

Then the swollen waters

Would have gone over our soul.” Blessed be the Lord,

Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.

Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers;

The snare is broken, and we have escaped.

Our help is in the name of the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

God’s deliverance in our lives is no insignificant matter. How often have we faced dilemmas, hostility, irrational adversaries?

When the situation is beyond our ability to “live at peace with all men” we need God to intervene and provide a way of escape. And he does for those who call out to him in faith.

This year we are also hoping to do a family reading of the book of Deuteronomy during the Feast.

Do any of you have Feast traditions that you would share with the group?

Wishing you all Sabbath delight

Wishing you  a meaningful Yom Kippur./Day of Atonement

My favourite part of the day is thinking about the Jubilee year that is to be proclaimed on Atonement …a time of freedom from slavery, restoration, and a return to our inheritance. This is something the world truly needs.

It is never fun being sick, but being sick far away from home and living in a campus dormitory had even greater challenges. I still remember my roommates and friends having mercy on me and bringing me sustenance and providing company during a couple weeks of the ‘plague’ when I was bed-bound.  I still have fond memories of eating quantities of Jaffa oranges – those lovely sweet-tart navel oranges  -that were the only thing that I seemed to be able to tolerate. When we lived in California we had the delight of enjoying fresh oranges off of our own trees. They were a great tonic for whatever ails you. Today I’m nourishing myself with ginger, cloves, lemon tea and garlic in an attempt to combat his year’s dose of the pestilence:

Wishing everyone good health and a strong immune system. Hoping a Sabbath’s rest will bring some healing.

Only a couple more hours ’till sunset on this autumn Sabbath in Glacier, Montana. So for most of you Sabbath is already over. There had been a couple brief glimpses of radiant sunlight through the trees, but I was not quick on the draw with my computer to catch those glorious moments. My son came back from services with a mysterious ‘gift’ he had found en route. Could I guess what it was? And no wonder. He had found a Canadian penny from 1944 with King George VI image. We chatted a little bit about King George and recalled one of our all time favourite movies ‘The King’s Speech’ which had the reputation of being very close to the reality of the time and the characters.

I reminded my son of his maternal grandfather’s appreciation for George VI and the plaque that had been on my Dad’s wall from my earliest childhood. And now is in our home since Dad’s passing.

​My Dad had been a flight engineer during the war beginning in his late teens/early 20’s and having survived the war in the ferry command he had his definite opinions on politics, leadership, and war in general.

Dad was not an overtly ‘religious man, though most Canadians of his generation held certain common Christian beliefs. However, I did hear others speak of Dad’s generosity, his concern for the less fortunate. his honesty, and integrity. .He suffered many upsets and reversals in his life, but he always rose to the challenge..

Perhaps, the quote by King George on Dad’s wall was more than a piece of family memorabilia inherited from his mother. It was a guiding principle.

“And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown'” He replied, “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be better than light – and safer than a known way”.

The final Psalm of Ascent – Psalm 134 that was read in the temple on the eve of the first day of the Feast.

Well all the family made it to Glacier … God has been merciful. I am not well, but could be worse.

What have you decided to do to celebrate the Feast?

I hope those who value God’s holy day will be able to find others to fellowship with during this special time as we consider God’s wonderful plan of salvation for humanity.

Recently, I found letters that my Mom had saved, that I had written in 1974. Reading them was a real trip down memory lane until I came to one written in August that really stumped me as I wrote of things that I had totally forgotten. This letter chronicled my trip from my home in Burlington, Ontario to the Pasadena campus after BW had closed.

Does anyone else have memories of this transition period between leaving BW and restarting campus life in Pasadena?

I’m sure it was a tumultuous time for many as old plans were thrown to the winds and new plans were envisioned.

Sabbath is always a good time to reflect with gratitude on the past and this great adventure of life that we have been given as a blessing from our Creator.

Thanksgiving blessing to all of my American friends

A LIfe worth LIving

Is it visions of lofty peaks

where haughty eagles soar,

or sheer canyon walls

where boiling waters roar?

Is it serene mirror lakes

where graceful herons nest,

or quiet sun-specked glades

where fawn and doe find rest?

This all adds to life it’s true

but is there something more?

Savour birds sweet melodies

that greet us every morn,

or the rustling music of the leaves

which on the wind are borne?

Feel the roar of ocean waves

as they pounce upon the shore,

or the beat of fife and drum

that thrills us to the core.

These all add to life it’s true

but is there something more?

Sense the caress of summer breezes

soft against the skin,

or plunge in spring cold waters

to that tingly feeling within.

Tender the touch of mellow sun

soft and rosy bright,

or  the shiver chasing warmth

that comes by firelight

Yes, these add to life it’s true

but is there something more?

Sample tempting tasty treats

grapes fresh from the vine,

and the palate pleasing joys

of sipping summer’s wine.

Or roast turkey, golden brown,

served with yams and peas,

the delight of peach or plum

picked straight from off your trees.

These all add to life you say

but is there something more?

Recall the scent of lilacs perfume

that lingers on the flower,

or the damp leafy smells

of autumn in the bower.

Whether the luscious enticement

of sweet rolls as they bake,

or the faint fishy whiffs as

the sunset shimmers on the lake.

These all add to life that’s so

but is there something more?

How sad we’d be if all alone

our senses we could fill,

without someone to share our joy

where would be the thrill?

But there is joy in knowing

we have those who care.

we have friends who love us

whose hopes and dreams we share.

This adds spice to life it’s true

and still there’s something more.

Our children’s eye-bright smiles

are day to day pleasures

our love’s firm embraces

are moments we treasure.

The comfort of parents, whose

insights we trust

To cherish  family living

is something we must

to make life secure and full

but yet there’s something more.

The time we’re given to live each day

is just the very start,

there’s endless time yet ahead

and we can have a part

by learning God’s lessons of love

with friends and family

we have the hope of sharing our lives

from now into infinity.

This makes life worth living  and

our reasons for thanksgiving

A rainy Sabbath day on Vancouver Island, and it reminds me of my times in England…damp and cold! We harvested some English ivy from the local woods (it is an invasive species here) but I’ve potted some up for houseplants as English Evy is one of the best plants for improving indoor air quality. It is especially effective in dealing with mold, and with the damp and cold this becomes important.

My sojourns in England also bring to mind my love of plants. The BW campus was a true paradise for anyone who appreciated  gardens. Later, in 2004-05, we were able to visit Kew Gardens and the Eden Project  Two outstanding examples of English horticulture. The photo is of the Eden Project in Cornwall that has grown considerably in 20 years.

It makes me wonder what the Garden of Eden was like? Something to think about this Sabbath, a day that is a memorial of that great Gardener and his first garden.

I graduated from AC in 1976 and like many of my classmates I was married a few months after graduation. So for some of you who were also married then and are still married ,2026 marks a jubilee, 50 years of life together.

In a time when many relationships are very transitory, 50 years of sharing life’s journey is quite a remarkable milestone.

So I’m sending my heartfelt congratulations to those who have hit the 50 mile marker on this path, and my wishes for you that you will have many more miles together.

Some years ago as Jeff and I were writing about marriage in our book ‘Walk a Straight Path’ I wrote this poem to encourage us in our service to God as married couples.

Sabbath greetings to all

I was reposting one of Jeff’s sermons where he relates his travels in the Sinai with Major Rotham and this reminded me that Brian Hickson had sent me a PDF in which he talked about his travels. Here is an excerpt from his memoire, 1973 Tzora and Sinai:

“You know,” said Chris. “I’d love to go down to Sinai again. I might hire a guide or just drive down in the Landrover.”

“You’ve got a Landrover?” asked Major Rotham.

“Yes, all I need is someone, who knows the area.”

“Well, I’d like another look round it myself,” said the Major. “As you know, I used to be the military governor of the area. You give me a lift down there and you’ve got a guide!”

“You’re on!” said Chris.

So there we all were in the Landrover- Andy and me, with time off from the kibbutz. Chris and his brother, Jeff, another young Israeli and Major Rotham. Jammed into the back was enough gear to last us a month- food, alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages- otherwise known as booze and fizz- sleeping bags, cooking kit, washing kit, kitchen sink, the lot. And so we drove down to Sinai- us, kit and all- with the best guide in all of Sinai.

Major Rotham. A very distinguished man. He came from Russia originally and was in the Jewish Palestinian Haganah in his youth. That was when the British still had the place. The Haganah had all their training in secret and, as the climax of the year, they’d go off into the desert and fire…one round.

During world war 2 he joined the British army. He was in a very famous regiment- the Buffs. (This was the same regiment as my Godfather, but in a different area. He fought in Italy and my Godfather fought in Burma.) He showed us a photo of Sergeant Mishka Rabinovich, as he was then, a handsome, rugged looking man with a beautiful waxed moustache a bit like the Kaiser’s. He did rather well in the British army and we spent a pleasant couple of days taking the Mickie out of the British army drill pigs.

In 1948 he fought in Jerusalem. He was wounded in the hand by a home made mortar but carried on fighting and took over the Jewish armoured corps in Jerusalem- about three captured armoured cars.” …

I was wondering if some of you who were on the ‘Digs’ in Israel with the college could share some of your experiences.

I’d always dreamed of going to Israel, but our attempts to make the dream a reality as a family did not work out. But that’s a long story. Jeff’s trips to Israel however were high points in his life that brought back significant memories.

Wishing everyone a restful Sabbath and the joy that comes with remembering some of life’s high points.

Is it true that time goes ‘faster’ as you age. It certainly seems that way to me. The days are gone in a flash and the weeks zip by in a blur.

So here I am beginning another Sabbath, and wondering where the week has gone.

We had a brief few minutes of sun just a while before sunset as it burst through to reveal a patch of bright blue sky, amidst the ominous grey rain clouds.  We have had another week of constant rain, but perhaps I should count it as a blessing after hearing from many to the East and South of us who are experiencing significant winter storms and huge snowfalls.

I hope, wherever you are, that you are warm and dry and able to cope with the worst that winter can dish out.

But I know spring is around the corner as the heather is blooming and I saw my first snowdrops in our neighbourhood.

Sabbath greetings to all.

Under the weather again and longing for some tart sweet Jaffa navel oranges that were my only food during a bout of flu at AC. My considerate roomies kept my orange supply in stock along with cups of tea, while I curled under the covers or wrapped myself in sweaters and blankets in order to retreat to the prayer closet when the sun came shining through the window. These days it is hard to find great oranges, though Buck Brand is often the best available here. Of course there was nothing quite like picking them off of our own trees in Altadena and Ramona.

But for ‘fluish’ remedies these days the old go-to is lemon, honey and ginger with perhaps a clove, black pepper corn, and a sprinkle of cinnamon and cayenne.  My Mom’s old recipe would have been made with a base of chamomile tea and some raw garlic:) So with the Sabbath almost here once again, I will certainly be ‘resting’ and hopefully will be up for a little on-line fellowship, as long as I don’t have to do the talking.

But my minor suffering this week is inconsequential when compared to that of others.

It has been a brutal week for many here in British Columbia, and having worked as a high school teacher, I can only imagine the great heartache of all the students, parents, and staff who are in anguish over the school shooting. 

When such tragedy strikes it is time to support those who are suffering as we are able. And for those not intimately involved it is time for us to take stock and  consider our own lives and the state of our community.

It is a good time on Sabbath to re-examine, reflect, and ask important questions.  so we will not walk in darkness but will choose to walk in the light.

Sabbath peace to all.

Many of us will remember from student days that one of Herbert Armstrong’s favourite Sabbath sermon themes revolved around the importance of ‘having the big picture,’

Through the years I have found this axiom to be helpful, in many different circumstances, but especially my teaching career.

It was brought to mind this morning while listening to an elder from Kenya who is too young to have listened to Herbert Armstrong. He was making the point that God is who he is and he does not change, unlike us mere mortals, God never has doubts, worries, or anxieties. God never has to wonder if he did or said the ‘right thing.’ God does not worry about whether he has intervened at the right time. God never has to question his reasoning or doubt his rationale.  God has or perhaps he ‘is’ the big picture view. He is the author and sustainer of reality.

Now we, on the other hand, can get very tied up in ourselves, or our situations in life and we are often overwhelmed, distractable, flighty, inconsistent, anxious, even double-minded.

This is one reason I value the Sabbath…

especially when it has been one of life’s more challenging weeks full of discouraging news of illness and trials among brethren, family and friends.

God sets this sanctuary in time apart weekly to commune individually and collectively with those who are wanting to see the ‘big picture’ of reality as God sees it – through a clear lens with no shadows or distortions. This is a life-long endeavour and each Sabbath brings us one step closer to understanding the ‘big picture’ For, the more you know God, the more you realize there is more to know in order to align our lives more perfectly with his unchanging loving loyalty and faithfulness. For after all, we are his children, and he wants us to become like him.

I was ten years old when my family began observing the Sabbath, so presently I have had the blessing of about 3170 Sabbaths, but I’m hoping for a few more:)

Wishing you all the comfort and peace that comes with this sanctuary in time. Shabbat shalom.

I just saw another post about college friends who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. What a wonderful milestone. 2026 would have been 50 years for Jeff and me too. It is a wonderful blessing to have someone to share life’s journey with all its hills and valleys, and opportunities for renewal and growth.

But here we are once again as a new year is about to begin and I see the first signs of spring on the island.  The grape hyacinth is blooming, I have one lone daffodil that is flowering, and the hazelnuts are full of catkins. Yesterday, I saw the first of the plum blossoms opening, so the circle of life begins once again with the promise of a bountiful harvest.

While our world may be turbulent and full of angst, the cycle of the seasons and the constancy of God’s handiwork remains a source of stability and solace. Sabbath is a great time to ponder God’s faithfulness as reflected in the amazing yearly patterns of growth and renewal.

“While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.”

Genesis 8

Another year is about to begin March 19 or Nisan/Abib 1. Working in the kitchen at AC this was a very busy time of year with spring feast preparations and ‘deleavening’ under way.

Passover is just over two weeks away so I’m sure a lot of you are making plans for this season and perhaps pulling out your favourite recipes for unleavened bread. I have such positive memories of serving at church potlucks during the spring Holy Days and preparing special dishes for these events.

My sons recently reminded me of cream puffs that were an unleavened bread treat in my childhood, as were popovers for Sabbath morning breakfast, or crepes served with whipped cream and  berries in their youth.

Wishing everyone a memorable Sabbath as we look forward to Passover and beginning our yearly rehearsal of God’s great plan for humanity.

A friend posted this quote recently that spoke to me:

“How many times have you noticed that it’s the little quiet moments in the midst of life that seem to give the rest extra-special meaning?”- Fred “Mister”Rogers

He was not talking about the Sabbath, but it seems that on the Sabbath we find  more opportunities to share those ‘quiet moments’ that give meaning to life.

The Sabbath rest always took on special import when we’d had  especially long or intense hours of work during the week.

One of the blessings of college was having work during the week. And not only the mental ‘work’ of classes and studying, but the physical work on campus. Both were valuable learning experiences and brought balance, and this busy-ness made you appreciate Sabbath’s quiet moments all the more.

I have now retired from a teaching career where the work week was always demanding, but I had the flexibility to build into the schedule times of mental and physical activity.

Being retired, it is a new challenge to find and organize ‘work’ that engages mind and body and makes me feel satisfied with my week’s efforts, especially when the body is weak and unable to sustain normal activities.

And yet, Sabbath offers extra-special meaning beyond rest. It is  a sense of completion and satisfaction with an opportunity to  be still and have those special quiet moments in God’s presence where our spirit is refreshed and our hope renewed.

Wishing all of you the benefits of Sabbath’s quiet moments of reflection.

Passover is only a few days away, so I thought I’d share one of my poems for the season for this week’s ‘Sabbath note.’:

WHO IS THIS?

Who is this who says, “I am.”

The one who led them through the sea,

laid Egypt waste to set them free.

Cooling mist, fiery light,

leading them by day and night.

Who is this? “He’s just a man.”

Young and daring, stocky, strong,

passing unnoticed among the throng.

Lively eyes, friendly face

of fear or scorn there’s not a trace.

How could this be the great “I am”?

The captain of angelic hosts,

Joshua’s LORD in whom he boasts.

Walls fell flat by his will,

He gave the word, the sun stood still.

Weary,  he sleeps like other men.

Simple pleasures suit him fine,

bread, figs, fish and wine.

Vibrant laugh, tear-stained cheek

confronting the base, comforting the weak.

“God’s my father,” claims the man.

The blind eyes see, the lame now walk,

in the temple those who mock,

the money grubbers selling wares

are roughly herded down the stairs.

A paradox whether God or man.

Sage or prophet who forgives the guilty.

Few dare deny his divine abilities.

Terror to hypocrites, exposing the ‘wise.’

but children or strangers he won’t despise.

Is this “I am” who changes not?

His voice thundered, the people shook.

He wrote the Words in the Book ⎯

peace, long life liberty.

“If you knew Moses, you’ll know me.”

Who is this who says, “I am.”

Could he be both God and man?

by Rebecca Stewart

Wishing everyone the blessings of God”s spring feast season, and time for reflection on this ‘Great Sabbath’ before Passover.

Greetings to all my AC friends. Perhaps many in Australia have already enjoyed an evening of fellowship and reminiscing about their walk with God. But here on Vancouver Ilsland, tonight is the beginning of NIsan/Abib 15, the memorial of the leaving of Egypt during the time of the Exodus. Let’s consider the lessons to be learned from the Exodus and appreciate the many ways that we have experienced God’s deliverance in our lives.

LEAVING EGYPT

Free at last, free at last,

no more feeling the whip or lash.

No more toil in the blazing sun.

We rest at peace when the day is done.

Freedom’s taste lingers sweet.

We sing with thanks to our drumming feet.

The joy we share as we march along

is the heart and soul of freedom’s song.

We’ve left that harsh and lawless land

to trek across the desert sand.

Together we will learn anew

to worship Him in all that’s true.

Free to choose to follow Him

or led astray by our own whim.

We’ve laboured without sabbath rest

but now He puts us to the test.

Slaves no more, now we’re free

to choose love, law, and liberty.

Faith must g

uide us to obey

laws written in our hearts each day.

Rebecca Stewart

Greetings on the last Sabbath of the Passover season. I am thankful for God’s love in providing us with his word, and his Sabbaths that give us hope for humanity and offer us weekly and yearly reminders of his plan for us as his children.

This year my son and daughter-in-law made a traditional beef brisket for Passover, instead of lamb. It was delicious. But it brought back a funny memory of AC and vats (disgusting)  of corned beef  brisket that were cooked up for the spring Holy Days.

I worked in the kitchen in Bricketwood and Pasadena, but memory fails me when it comes to how we ‘deleavened’ and what kind of unleavenened bread we baked for the occasion. Can anyone remember what we did?

Our experience at college and in our church community was truly unique in many ways. One way that is still truly remarkable is the benefit of having friends and brethren all around the world who are willing to offer hospitality. My son and family recently traveled along the West Coast and were hosted by brethren they had not met before and were welcomed warmly into their congregation for the spring Holy Days.

In college, I had this experience of fellowship with brethren in different congregations with our trips to Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, and across the US. When working for the French department with Dibar Apartian in Pasadena, Jeff made it a priority to visit French-speaking areas and we had great memories of the hospitality shown us in Paris, in the Pyrenees in France, in Guadeloupe, and Quebec. Then more recently, we were blessed with opportunities for friendship and fellowship with brethren in England when we spent some months teaching in Croydon and then later in Ireland for the Feast.

It was always a delight for us living in Pasadena to be able to host our brethren from around the world and share their life experiences . And even here on Vancouver Island we have had the blessing of sharing our home and ‘catching up’ on the life stories of many who have stopped our way over the years.

So sending Sabbath wishes and hopes for continued fellowship to enrich our lives by sharing our hearts.

One thing I really miss about not being able to fellowship with a congregation is the singing. I do have such fond memories of singing together. The singing class at Bricketwood,.and the Sabbath morning hymn sings after brunch in Pasadena were special delights for me. There was nothing quite like the powerful experience of being at a Feast site and singing along with thousands of others. I was reading recently about Hezekiah and Josiah and their celebrations and how vital music and singing were in renewing the worship of the Lord God of Israel.

After multiple bouts of bronchitis recently I have lost my singing voice and would dealry love to be able to sing once again. In the meanwhile, I do what I can to croak along on our weekly family hymn sing:)

Wishing you all Sabbath blessings and the gift of song to celebrate God’s wonders.

Can you believe it is already May?? And we are having an unusually warm sunny summer-like day .

Listened to a message this morning about gratitude, then talked to a friend who I’ve known for almost 50 years. This made me think about  the apostle  Paul’s constant expression of thanks for the people who had walked with him and shared his journeys. College provided a treasure trove of friendships many of which have continued until now.

One of God’s great blessings is a lifetime of friendships and the gift of companionship that we have enjoyed. Sometimes it is worthwhile to consider the value that has been added to our life by others and to reflect on how different life would have been without their support and encouragement.

Who we are today relates in some measure  to our level of gratitude for and to those who have stood by us and walked with us.

Wishing you all time to reflect, the joy of fond memories, and the gratitude that transforms us,  as you finish this Sabbath day.