Standing With Jesus

Dear Unity Friends,

I recently heard these words in the classic hymn by Edward Mote, and I have not been able to shake them from my mind.  Has that ever happened to you?

On Christ the solid Rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

In recent weeks we have seen images of sinking sand all around us.  Super-storm Sandy damage along the east coast. Missiles rocketed in the Gaza Strip. Wall street embezzlements.  Storms, missiles, and corporate greed aside, what does it mean to stand on the solid rock of Jesus Christ?  

It means we are cared for. John Calvin wrote that “we will never be able to arrive at a calm state of mind until we are taught to repose ( rest) with implicit confidence in the providence of God.”  To rest in the implicit confidence in the providence of God means resting in the unquestioning, protective, providing care of God. All other ground is sinking sand

In our high school we work with teenagers who are trying to figure out where they stand. Facebook “likes” and Twitter “re-tweets” appear to be the number one validation many strive for. Students are hungry for a digital affirmation from their peers. That might sound superficial to adults, but it is a new neighborhood where they walk.  And as we walk alongside these kids in person and on the internet, we get to remind them and ourselves, that we stand with Jesus Christ and he will not let go of us.  We stand in his protection and in his safety.  All other ground is sinking sand.

And we join you the Christian church and Christian home in the work of Kingdom building on Jesus Christ.  What a joy we have in standing with Jesus Christ.  What an opportunity we have to take a stand for Jesus! 

God bless you with His powerful this Christmas season,  

Thankful for Home

Hello Unity Friends,

Can you believe that Thanksgiving Day is landing in our lives next week?  My internal calendar clock tells me that Thanksgiving should be at least another 2 weeks away. Growing up Canadian, this is by far my favorite US Holiday.  America knows how to celebrate being thankful!  And that added day of Friday was a brilliant move by the founding father or president who made that decision. 

A few weeks ago, I watched a documentary called The 4^th World, written and produced by Unity parent Mark Volkers.  In this documentary Mark introduces viewers to a growing population of people in our world who live in what is known as the 4^th World. These people live in tin shacks, under bridges, work in garbage dumps, peddle on street corners and earn pennies a day.  The documentary has affected my thinking greatly. 

When I contrast that documentary to my living conditions, I am speechless.   I don’t get why some people live under bridges while others like myself, get to live in a country and culture that might just be the most prosperous of any other place in the world ever.  I have vowed never again to complain about leftovers, my old car or my not-so-new house.     

For me being thankful is one of the best ways to grow closer in my relationship to God.  Maybe God wants us to recognize that the chasing after the things of this world will never bring us true joy and peace.  Our desire to acquire the latest tech gadgets, cars, homes and toys will never bring us true joy and satisfaction.  These things will rust, spoil and fade away.  

 Perhaps God wants us to be most thankful for our salvation in Christ alone.

This piece of art captures what I am most thankful about.  It is a depiction of the story of the Prodigal Son.  This story belongs to us all in many ways.  

 For when we realize that chasing after the things of this world, leaves us defeated and destitute, we are still welcome home, into the embrace of our Father God.  Notice in the painting how the Father is running down the driveway to greet the returning son, who blew his inheritance.   We serve a God who runs to us!  What love !

May the grace of God and his amazing love, fill our hearts with thanksgiving and praise!  

Happy Thanksgiving,

                                 

Mr. Dykstra