MY WHISTLE IS BACK

My whistle came back unexpectedly.

Today it returned as I stepped from my car.

Such a surprise, put a smile on my face

It had not occurred to me in this race of life

That in all these past months it was gone.

But there it was with two lips together

Whistling a fine, happy day song.

Just as it’s always been with me and my dad,

A melodic whistle to begin my long day,

And sustain me through each working hour.

I can only explain whistle’s long leave of absence

As the outcome of dealing with grief,

Sometimes when absorbed by life’s heartaches

The desired relief that one looks for is missing

And the whistle is blocked and forgotten.

But it’s back to stay now I think and my neighbours will know

When they hear me passing their places

Like a bridge over troubled waters or some other song 

I can imagine their faces, smiling as they pick up the tune,

Returning to what they were doing and saying that must have been Ron.

© Ron Unruh, Feb 2020

WE DO NOT LOSE HEART

On Sunday February 9, 2020 I preached at Northwest Langley Baptist Church. It’s a small congregation now. This church had glory years of vibrant helpful ministries to many people. Over many decades the bush that once surrounded this church building turned into a commercial, industrial area with numerous dining establishments nearby. It’s on the 200^th Street high traffic corridor at a strategically located intersection where the Colossus Theatre sits. Residential areas are not immediate to the church property. Some might view its future as tenuous. Some in the church might be discouraged. The apostle Paul wrote letters to the church in Corinth, and 2 Corinthians chapter 4 Paul expressed ideas that I believe were appropriate for NWLBC, and predictably for almost every other Christian who experiences a whack of trouble and heartache at different times. 

The link below brings you to an archive of audio recordings of recent sermons. Look for Feb 9, 2020 – 2 Corinthians 4. You can listen to all of it, or perhaps touch the thin grey progress line at the 35-minute mark, and listen to the last few minutes.

How Can Northwest Langley Baptist Church Fit Into God's Strategy