HYMNSING. It is what it says.

HYMNSING. That’s what it’s called. A Sunday evening at Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church. 300-400 people show up, and the predominant hair colour is white. The HymnSing is so popular that when people in the audience were asked to raise their hand if they were not regular attendees at that church, the majority put up their hands. That’s an indicator that the depth, familiarity and nostalgia of hymns is uncommon in many churches today yet there are many people, like me, who enjoy singing the theology in hymnology form. Hundreds more listen and watch online in the comfort of their homes. It's not a contest between contemporary and dated music forms. This is merely an observed experience.

White haired attendees is not a surprise. 60, 70 and 80 years ago, if we grew up in church families, we sang hymns in church and over time we have known them by heart, entire hymns, every word. We sang in four-part harmony, still do. Many have the notation locked in memory as well. You can arouse an elderly person from Alzheimer vacancy, by playing an intro to a hymn. They will sing the lyrics even though they customarily don’t speak.

I attended HymnSing last Sunday night. A friend four years older, accompanied me. He was for many years the choir director at this church. So many people know him and love him and expressed that to him. Yes, this is one of the few churches in the area who still have a choir each Sunday. This is a large choir and they sang very well, albeit with a vibrato like a wavy sea. And the congregations sings – like a mass choir.   

The next HymnSing is Easter Sunday, April 20, at 6:30 PM (6:15 PM for prelude). Doors open at 5:45 PM.

OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE

What Elon Musk, or Bill Gates do in terms of achievements or acquisitions or benefits to humanity or sinister plots may be of interest to me, but they mean nothing to me. They are unimportant to my life. What PM Justin Trudeau, or wannabe presidents Kamala or Donald say or do, or think, is ultimately of no consequence for me. What the World Economic Council publish publicly or resolves clandestinely does not need to waste my time. My shorts should not be in knots over anything outside of myself. I am a temple of God the Holy Spirit. His presence is my security and my peace. The love of God is the foundation of my life. His Word illuminates my way. He is God and I am His child. That alone is of real and paramount importance. My communication with Him and about Him and His messages to me must be where I allow my mind to exclusively settle each day that I live here. 

Qualifier: None of the above implies an ostrich head-in-the-sand approach to personal and world events; or infers unconcern about the conflicts in the Mid-East or Ukraine, or suggests a lack of empathy and action to aid anyone around me who requires my assistance. It does declare my valid and uber-effective coping mechanism for all that is harmful and threatening in this world, and my world. 

I CHOSE YOU ONCE; I CHOOSE YOU NOW.

I am so old, experienced considerable, read copiously, still learn persistently. I think 70,000 thought each day. At its peak my brain’s memory capacity was trillions of bytes of information and equivalent to 450 years of memory. My summit years for acute memory were my 20s. Now my brain does not recall some/many experiences. Relating this to ageing, I have felt sorry for myself. Neurons fail, and memories fade. On the other hand, I learn that my system chooses the experiences that it will cement into long term memory. Darling Christine, I will always remember you. I chose you once. I choose you now.

BALANCING STONES

I enjoy seeing these creations. I have tried my hand at it, and been moderately successful.

The image of balancing stones offers diverse spiritual interpretations. In Christian theology, Jesus Christ is likened to a cornerstone, the foundation of believers' lives (Ephesians 2:19-22; Matthew 7:24-27). This emphasizes the importance of building one's life on Christ's teachings for stability amid life's challenges. Buddhism sees the image as a metaphor for inner balance and ethical living, while Taoism aligns it with harmony and the Tao. New Age spirituality emphasizes personal growth and holistic well-being. While Christianity roots in faith in Christ, Buddhism and Taoism focus on inner balance, and New Age spirituality on individual empowerment.

 

Ephesians 2:19-22: "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."

Matthew 7:24-27:"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

MY MEDICAL SERVICES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

MEDICAL SERVICES 

 

One aspect of my life in these years, is my relationships with medical specialists. Last Thursday I met with my rheumatologist. Tomorrow (Tuesday) it’s orthodontist time. Wednesday my ophthalmologist will laser my recently implanted lenses. Thursday, my endocrinologist and I have a consultation. These are my current medical amigos. I have not yet mentioned my cardiologist and dermatologist. I may think of one or two others that for the moment, I have forgotten. I trust each of them. I know them.

These interventions and remedial clinicians are available to me not because I can afford them, but rather, because of MSP, our provincial Medical Services Plan covers my health care costs. MSP is the health insurance program managed by the government for residents of British Columbia, Canada. MSP pays for things like doctor's appointments, appointments with specialist doctors, and hospital stays. My family doctor has referred me to each of these specialists at a time of my need. I am deeply appreciative of the help given to me and satisfied with it. 

LIKE THE MORNING SUN ... My latest book, released Nov 2023 ... take a look

‘Like the Morning Sun’ illuminates the profound legacy of Mennonite families in Canada. Ron Unruh's family journey unfolds, revealing tales of devotion, tenacity, and unyielding faith. Dive into this historical gem that transcends ten generations. AMAZON LINK

Descendants of Mennonite immigrants from South Russia to the Canadian Prairies will find 'Like the Morning Sun' a charmingly informative read. The author, 81-year-old Ron Unruh, initially sought to leave a record of his life and ancestors for his siblings, children, and grandchildren. A commonality exists between his family story and thousands of others that are rooted in the same socio-religious heritage. The Unruh, Loewen, Doerksen, Fast, and Willems lineages in this book, represent the broader Mennonite community. They are heirs to theology emerging from the Protestant Reformation, particularly the convictions of Anabaptist believers known as Mennonites. Settling in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, these family histories embody lessons of devotion, tenacity, and faithfulness, transcending Ron Unruh's personal narrative. 'Like the Morning Sun,' serves as a rich historical resource, exploring the enduring commitment of Mennonites to faithfulness despite challenges with state churches, other faith traditions, and political leaders from 1500-1900 AD. The subtitle, 'A Personal and Family Spiritual Portrait,' reflects the notable pursuit of ten generations of five families who exemplified the inspirational truth of Proverbs 4:18, "The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day." AMAZON LINK

MAYBE, MY LAST SERMON

My five grandchildren were all too young to ever hear me preach.

On Sunday June 4 I preached twice @ 9am and 10:45am.

I did better the 2nd time. The recording was of the 1st. Too bad. I had trouble seeing my brief notes in the dim lighting. 2nd time, I fixed that, and I also had more control of my thoughts. 

'SOUND THEOLOGY IS ESSENTIAL FOR LIVING A RIGHTEOUS LIFE' - Backstory: Paul started many churches in Galatia, comprised of Jews and gentiles converted to Christ. Some Jewish Christians couldn't shake their dependence on being justified by works as well. Paul was a by grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone theologian. This letter is his attempt to correct their thinking.

Here is the link the church website, https://crossridge.church/404-2/sound-theology-is-essential-for-living-a-righteous-life/

And here is the link on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x2P-gS6twc

My sermon begins at the 23 min mark.

I have thought it was my last sermon before. I feel it again. I love preparing, and I am comfortable preaching ... at least I think I do. But I likely do not know myself. Christine says I've been wound up tighter than a drum for one month. On Sunday afternoon I was exhausted; I napped and woke to joint pain all over as tho my PMR was returning. I'm OK, Mon and Tues I am fine. My wiring for the stress is shot perhaps - stress that I create for myself, expecting too much, leaning on my stupid perfectionist bent. 

The best thing for me among so many friends who heard I would be there and who showed up from other churches, were my own 5 grandchildren. 

I'M NOT ALL GONE

I’M NOT ALL GONE (a poem)

 

Though I spent a lifetime providing counsel,

helping people to navigate life.

Don’t ask an eighty-year-old to give advice

in those fields where my knowledge is thin.

People like me haven’t learned to say “No.”

Auto-pilot altruistically kicks in, and

I grope in vain for the off switch.

No lack of self-confidence 

but short-term memory is shot.

Haven’t won Jeopardy any time lately.

No worries, I have Google, my uber intellect.

What I don’t know, I know in an instant.

You ask me for help, you get what I got.

Ask succinctly and loudly, my hearing is gone.

Ask about life, and love and loss,

Those are close to me now. 

If when you tell me what’s going on,

you may see me tear up, ‘cause I understand.

If when you tear up, I hold your hand,

you will sense I know someone who

knows more than Google or AI,

who has what you need if we ask him together.

 

© Ron Unruh, June 2023

 

CONNIE

CONNIE

A gravel path winds through the park surrounded by forests of evergreen, alders, and cottonwood. Connie walks to the park every day. Down an apartment elevator, pushing a four wheeled walker, she crossed a busy street, and slowly made her way to the large pond. Her purse and bags of seed purchased at Wild Birds Unlimited were positioned on her walker. Varieties of ducks heard her coming. So did I yesterday. Standing on the far side of the pond, I heard her wheels on gravel before I saw her. 

Ducks on water moved toward me at Connie’s feeding station. 

Rounding a corner, ducks on land followed Connie as she walked toward me, small steps, duck steps. Connie is less than five feet tall, eighty-eight years old, came to Canada fifty years ago, constantly cheerful, an inspiration. Her hands, fingers with severe knuckles bent from arthritis dipped into the seed bag. Ducks from the path waited. Ducks from the water climbed the banks. With her restricted arm movement, she tossed seed toward her friends. To me she said, “Take some, you can throw it farther.” She and I talked in the warming sunshine, looking into each other’s watery senior eyes. We talked about pets. Ducks are her pets now. She used to have two cats. Each lived about eighteen years. She won’t get another cat now. “I’m eighty-eight. Who will look after them?”

MY BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF REVELATION

MY BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF REVELATION

 

John, was the friend of Jesus, gospel writer and evangelist. The purpose of Jesus’ incarnation was so real and empowering to John. He watched Jesus die. He saw him alive again. He saw Jesus ascend through clouds and out of sight. He knew everything Jesus said about the devil and sin and redemption, and the Kingdom were true. He wrote that God loved the world so much that He sent the divine Son, Jesus, so whomever believes in Jesus will have eternal life. 

John heard Jesus alert his followers to the fact that in this world where sin is prevalent, being faithful to God as follower of Christ is difficult and dangerous. John was sent to the island of Patmos as a prisoner of the Roman State. Before Jesus died, John heard Jesus promise that though he was leaving, he would send His Holy Spirit to be with them and in them. Now on the island, John found himself possessed powerfully by the Holy Spirit, as the LORD gave him a vision of the future. We read that this vision contained an immediate message to each of seven churches that existed at that time. Those messages contained commendations, warnings and promises. Since this is inspired scripture from God, the information to the churches is transferable to churches in every age, because evil exists in every age.