Sign of Our Times

As we drove to a meeting yesterday morning I was again reminded that Spring is just around the corner in Canada – the time when our flowers will break out of their prison. It was such an easy "sign of our times" to find… Our Flower Nurseries are all open, their driveways are ploughed and there is a buzz of activities in the green houses. No doubt they are now planting the seeds and beginning to nurture new seedlings.

This is crazy however for anyone to think about spring and new flowers with the huge storm that just sailed through last night dumping a good six inches in our driveway! Talk about March coming in like a Lion – it was classic yesterday.

Realizing this simple fact of a possible Spring time – something good on its way – has brightened my day. Even through a storm and high winds we are about to enjoy Spring and Summer again. There is new life again after the cold season.

My thoughts drifted into another area as I sat this morning thinking of this snowy season outside today. The weather in our spiritual and emotional lives has a powerful affect on what we do. When the storms of life come we are left helpless and sometimes frustrated thinking it will never end. Canadian Winters can sometimes produce that effect. So do our problems and the problems of others.

This past week a friend of mine died. He was only 43 years old. He has served as a capable pastor and leader. On top of this he was a fellow artist and creator. I have known him since he was 15 years old. His name is Les Burton.

When the report of his sudden and tragic death came I was wrapped again in a storm of life. When will it ever end? How can this happen to some one like Les and Melanie – and their three children? Why?

Through this storm and others I have come to realize that it is not over. God has his “Spring” coming in our lives. This is not the final piece. With his help there is new life even through very had times!

The words of the old hymn “It Is Well With MY Soul” comfort today…. Spring is coming soon.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

“Praise the Lord Oh My Soul” – Psalm 146:1

It Is Well With MY Soul
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel!
Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

Refrain

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound,
and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain

Special Note:
Words: Ho­ra­tio G. Spaf­ford, 1873.
Music: Phil­ip P. Bliss, 1876 (MI­DI, score).

The tune is named af­ter the ship on which Spaf­ford’s child­ren per­ished, the S.S. Ville de Havre. Iron­ic­al­ly, Bliss him­self died in a tra­gic train wreck short­ly af­ter writ­ing this mu­sic.