Acknowledging a Miracle

In an article I wrote earlier, that miracles still happen today, I told of my own experiences.  Here is one that others experienced recently in White Rock BC, as reported in The Now Newspaper.  A man was saved from drowning at the beach.  Many factors came into play to save him from drowning, and were proof of God’s intervention.

It happened on Sunday afternoon, July 18th, 2010.  A man in his 50’s was quite far out and floundering.  He wife, not so far out as he, was screaming and waving her arms frantically for help.  A young man of 44, sitting on the beach, reacted by discarding his hat, socks, shirt and sunglasses and bolted down the beach and into the ocean.  He told us afterwards that he was saying to himself that he had better do this right, otherwise his wife would be raising their kids on her own.

Pete Pretorius was the person who rescued the man, and he had the presence of mind to take the man’s wrist and turn him around to face away, making him unable to drown his rescuer.  With much effort, Pete towed the nearly drowned man to shore where he was revived and assisted to the family’s vehicle.

It was a miracle to have been saved from drowning, but the circumstances that enabled the rescuer to be present and capable are astounding.  Pete was there to enjoy a sunny afternoon at the beach.  He could have been anywhere at that moment.  He was an athlete, being the 4th fastest in the world in the 400-metre hurdles, with a black belt in taekwondo.  That training helped him to disable the person from complicating the rescue operation.  And one last consideration, is that Pete had cancelled competing in the South African Olympics at that time because of other circumstances.  All of these factors acted together for our lifesaver to be there at the exact moment.  Pete recognizes God's intervention.  I hope the drowning man’s family too, recognizes that saving their dad from drowning was indeed a miracle.    

All Things Bright And Beautiful

One of my friends in The International Fellowship of Christian Pipers and Drummers, a piper who lives in the Netherlands, wrote saying, “I have a question arising from one of The Church Piper music books, page xxxiii of Thanksgiving Hymns, Volume 8, where it says, “Jesus made all things bright and beautiful.”  Would you have meant God made all things bright and beautiful and did you not make an error by saying Jesus made all of these things?”

My reply was to say I appreciated his question, and agree that it could seem like I made an error, but actually, I didn’t.

The first chapter in the book of John points out that God and Jesus is one and the same Person.  Later on, when Jesus left the Holy Spirit with us, the three together, Father, Son and Holy Ghost made up the Trilogy of God.  Some have likened the Trilogy to the several states in which water can exist, namely water, ice and water vapor.  They are all of the same entity.

Scripture says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through Him all things were made.”  Additionally it says, “The Word became flesh, and made His dwelling among us, and we have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus is referred to as The Word made flesh, and that He dwelt among people who didn’t realize He was God until He arose from the dead after having been crucified.

The Scripture tells us that Jesus is the “Word” that was there from the beginning.  Consequently, He is God.  Jesus was not only a man, but He is also God.  Who else could take upon Himself the sins of the world, die as a human sacrifice and yet have power over death, to be resurrected and prove to mankind that He has this power?  He was both God and man and He lives in us as the Holy Spirit.  He was there from the beginning and Scripture makes it clear, that “the same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made."

That Jesus created all things is given in Colossians 1:15, which says, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things were created by Him and for Him.”

Reading the book of John is a great enlightenment.  Moments spent reading that first chapter have been enjoyable.  Additional reading reinforces the statement that Jesus, being part of the Trilogy, was God, and He created all things bright and beautiful, just as the hymn by that title tell us.  I am thankful for the question, and am pleased to have answered it.  In "Thanksgiving Hymns" I did mean to say that Jesus is God and it is to His credit that all things bright and beautiful were made.

Congratulations Are In Order

I would be remiss if I did not congratulate our Langley Legion Pipes and Drums for their accomplishment in winning two first prizes and one second, in the Squamish British Columbia Highland Games on June 19 2010.  Kevin Sutherland is the pipe major.  This is the band to which I belong since we moved to BC.  I am not claiming honors for myself, but I enjoy being able to say I am affiliated with this accomplished band.  On that Saturday, I was unable to join in the competition because of an invitation that had been given to me weeks earlier, to play for a piano recital in White Rock.

At the band’s practice the following Wednesday, notes by the piping and drumming adjudicators were read and absorbed.  Encouraging comments were very much enjoyed; ones such as “the bass drummer was spot on.”  That must be a Scottish expression.  Another comment that caused pipers to perk up their ears and smile was that their introductory E’s came in simultaneously.  Two trophies stood tall on the table, to be admired as comments were read and discussed.

On a subsequent practice night, members of the legion were having a social.  They invited the pipe band to perform on stage.  I had the pleasure to participate and thus was able to share with the band their exhilaration that came from having been recognized as champions.

On the Saturday that our pipe band won its first prizes, I had the honor of piping nineteen piano students onto the stage of White Rock Baptist Church.  I was asked to play “Highland Cathedral.”  It was a pleasure to lead those who had performed from the vestibule, down the aisle and onto the platform.  I concluded the whole program, having experienced the finest acoustics of any auditorium in which I have ever played.  The sound was absolutely clean and suitable to the selection that could easily be accepted as Scotland’s National Anthem.  I basked in the honors that were being given to those who had magnificently performed, because the student musicians were given a standing ovation for their exceptional skills.  I felt the pipes were also being recognized as an integral part of the program.

A Block Party for the Kids, Installment Three

On Sunday afternoon the block party on a residential street in White Rock BC began when 35 helmeted kids of various ages toured the block on their bikes and entered the park from the top of the knoll next door to where our grandkids live.  Barbecues and tables of food had been set up with salads, desserts and lemonade.  

The stage was a pop-up tent on the street, at the bottom of the slope.  Music from the sound system filled the air.  The hill made a natural amphitheatre and people sat on the grass. Our grandchildren along with other neighborhood kids were scheduled for the program.  Our six-year-old granddaughter danced the Highland fling with her friend.  Her eight-year-old brother, a slender soccer-player, showed off his muscles in a comedy act when he pretended to be a strong man and lifted a dumbbell that he and his dad had labeled 1000 lbs.  Their brother, who is 10, sang a Justin Bieber song with music from a CD.  He was a highlight, smiling throughout his performance.  Other kids in the talent show sang and danced.  One six-year-old actually climbed a tall spruce tree as his contribution.  I was invited to participate by playing a bagpipe selection.  Spontaneously, everyone clapped in unison to “Scotland the Brave.”

With their hands tied behind their backs, and their kids cheering them on, dads competed in the Jell-O eating contest.  It was amusing to see one little fellow devouring the remains from his father’s pie plate.

At dusk, families returned for an outdoor movie and popcorn.  The show was comical and chosen for the kids, now snuggled in sleeping bags and staying warm on this cool evening.  Parents were pleased to know their little guys and girls had fully enjoyed the block party.