All on a Sunday

Sunday began early. We arose at six AM, had breakfast and left White Rock BC for Vancouver, to be there for the Provincial Track Meet. Our two grandsons, 10 and 12 years old, would be competing and the first race would begin at 8:30. The younger of the two lads ran first, -in the 800-metre race. He came in second. His opponent, who he had beaten before, had grown since the last race and his legs were just that much longer. He had also become stronger. Consolation for our lad was to be assured that he ran the course faster than he had last year. He was enlightened, and he expects to do well next time, after growing some more. He intends to train every day.



Our older grandson ran in the 1200-metre race. It was exciting to watch. He drew alongside his opponent, challenging him in the last stretch to the finish line and won, but only by a step. After congratulating both of our grandsons, we drove back to White Rock, to attend church service. It was a sunny day and we felt there was much to accomplish.



After lunch, I took my pipes to the forest area and found a clearing in the trail to do some fine-tuning and rehearsing for the birthday party for which I would be playing that afternoon. Something interesting happened. A lady, who had been listening, came over and said she liked the pipes very much and that she had a Scottish background. She said her maiden name was Buchanan. I introduced myself as Dr. MacDonald. She asked, “Are you Dr. Keith MacDonald?” I replied affirmatively, wondering how she would know. Was it because she had seen The Church Piper music books that I published, or that she knew me from the International Fellowship of Christian Pipers and Drummers? When she said she had been Judy Buchanan before she was married, I recognized her as having been my brother’s dental assistant after she graduated from High School. She reminded me that my brother, Ken and I, played the pipes for her wedding. That would have been 40 years ago. Her face was familiar. She said that she and Tom now have two daughters, and the dog, which she was taking for a walk in the forest. She lived in a nearby town and was in White Rock for the day, visiting one of her daughters. I guess you’d have to say, “It’s a small world.”



I went home and dressed in my MacDonald Highland outfit, had a quick bite and drove to the birthday party in Surrey. The map gave a very clear route and it wasn’t far to the home where the party would take place.



Being ahead of the scheduled arrival time, I tuned up in preparation for the arrival of the man whose 90th birthday party was to be celebrated. In my strategic spot on the back deck, I got the signal from the kitchen when to begin playing “Happy Birthday.” You can be sure the elderly gentleman and his wife were pleasantly surprised to be piped into the presence of their family and friends. In the spirit of the moment, “Let’s Have a Ceilidh,” was a great welcoming song to be played on the pipes.



A young Highland dancer demonstrated several dances and I continued with a few old familiar Scottish songs such as, “The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen,” “I Belong to Glasgow,” “The Road to the Isles,” and “Scotland the Brave.”



It was a wonderful day for an outdoor party, and everyone was enjoying it immensely, particularly the elderly couple who were originally from Scotland. What an appropriate celebration for one who is 90 years old and still able to enjoy being with his family and friends. It had been a joyous day for me as well, and I would be able to tell my own family and friends all that had transpired that Sunday.

Graduation From High School

Honoring our church youth one evening in June 2012, was a highlight for a small group of beloved young individuals. They could realize how much they are loved as persons and admired for their achievement. Strings of lights decorated the hall and attractive drapes adorned the platform. Delightful music was being played. Graduates were dressed as we seldom see them; in business suits and graduation dresses. Upon introduction, each dignified graduate walked through an archway, then along the room’s length, to be recognized by all and given a welcoming ovation. A colorful program described each one, with the name of the school from which he or she had graduated and their plans for the future.


The occasion celebrated five years during which our young people spent in youth group, from grade eight until graduating from grade twelve. Their youth minister spoke about getting to know them and seeing them mature after grade seven when they entered youth group. They would either be entering the work force immediately, or continuing their education in technology or university. They were advised that although graduation from grade twelve is considered a commendable achievement, it must not be recognized as a total accomplishment. Rather, they are to see it as a continuation of preparing for their future. Until now, character, personality, wisdom and knowledge had developed as the foundation to build their futures and would continue to do so. Their solid Christian principles would be thoroughly tried as they moved into the world and away from guiding influences of their families. He admonished them to retain those Christlike characteristics as they made new friends. Their entire futures would depend upon solidarity of wise choices.


A well- prepared video of the students was enjoyed. Each graduate had been interviewed and asked about his or her plans for the future, besides being asked for an opinion on some subject. Most would be entering a distant college, and not be attending their church as before. One would go to seminary, another to a school of culinary arts, one to study paramedics in preparation for search and rescue, and another would become a nurse. Others had specific plans to prepare for employment, and it would involve years of continual study, probably more years of adapting to the work force afterwards. They could only anticipate arrival at the top of the mountain of success after years of diligent perseverance, just as their young pastor advised.


Those who attended this auspicious occasion cheerfully participated by responding to questions relevant to the graduates’ specific interests outside school. One loved to ride her motor scooter. Another was adept at skate boarding. Participating in sports was popular, while spending summers as camp councilors was another interest. After this interaction, everyone was invited to enjoy a fancy dessert prepared by devoted ladies of the church. From this well-planned evening, our graduates knew they were loved, respected and wished a successful future. I’m sure they knew the people of their church were confident that they would attain their goals and maintain their faith in God as their guide to success.

A Trip to Israel

The opportunity came in April 2012, for a tour of Israel with a group from our church. We were enthusiastic and knew that walking in the extreme heat would require lots of energy. For some, the trip would have been too strenuous. Our tour guide was Ellis Andre, our Senior Pastor, who has been there many times, as well as Andrew Turnbull, our Assistant Pastor. Danny Heifitz, our guide in Israel was familiar with Israel’s history and the Biblical account of Jesus. (He is related to Jascha Heifitz, the famous violinist.)



Where Jesus walked was of interest, particularly the Via Dolorosa, the route taken from the place where He was falsely tried, and made to carry his cross to Golgotha, the place of the skull, where He was crucified. It is a very narrow, stone-paved street. He was buried in a cave, which was provided by Joseph of Aramathea. The Bible tells us that Jesus was unable to carry the heavy cross and stumbled once, because of the severe lashing He had received. We were convinced that the location of the grave was accurate and that it was near the skull-like rock formation, although that was not as significant as knowing that Jesus sacrificed His life for our forgiveness and that He rose again. Mary Magdalene, speaking to Him in the garden, was the first to witness His resurrection.



While in Jerusalem, we visited the upper room, and the Garden of Gethsemane, where Judas came with a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the priests and elders, to capture Jesus. We stopped at the home of the high priest, Caiaphas, to visualize the place where Jesus was committed to death. It was the place where three times, Peter denied knowing Him.



The feeling of being where Jesus had been, was apparent when our tour ship stopped in the middle of the Sea of Galilee and our pastor read the account of the storm that caused Jesus’ disciples to cry out in despair, “Master, do you not care if we drown?” We imagined the angry waves tossing their boat around and Jesus calming the storm with the words, “Peace, be still!” We recalled His disciples uttering to one another, “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”



It was on the Sea of Galilee that Jesus walked to join His disciples. They thought He was a spirit. Afterwards, Peter desired to go with them in the boat and undertook to walk to it on the water. Because the water was rough, he lost confidence and needed Jesus’ help. Jesus caught him and said, “O thou of little faith, why did you doubt?” The disciples acknowledged His deity, saying, “Of a truth, thou art the Son of God.”



An experience for our group to remember is to have been on the slope of the Mount of Beatitudes where we could look out onto the valley and know it was where Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount. Pastor Andrew confidently quoted the entire sermon. We could imagine Jesus teaching His disciples and those with them, that “Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven, blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted,” and more.



The city of Capernaum on the shore of the Sea of Galilee was where Jesus restored to good health, the servant of a Roman Centurion. The servant was “paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” Jesus recognized the Centurion as having considerable faith, and said, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”



In Capernaum, we saw the ruins of Peter’s mother-in-law’s home, where a fine church is located over the site, and raised by pillars so the foundation can be seen easily. The significance is that Jesus frequently visited at this home and at one time, the dear woman had been seriously ill and Jesus cured her. Immediately, she was waiting on her guests.



We visited Tiberius, a fishing village on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus recruited His disciples, inviting them, saying, “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”



Nazareth was where Jesus was brought up. It is also where He read from the scroll in the synagogue, telling the people that “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” We saw the ruins of His parents’home, which can be seen easily, although the Church of the Annunciation is situated over the site.



St. Anne’s Church is located at the Pool of Bethesda. It is over 1000 years old and has remarkable acoustics. Julie Turnbull sang a hymn and it was beautiful, with the sound reflecting from the walls and ceiling.



To walk where Jesus walked was truly awesome. Our guide, Danny, related much about Jesus. We were shown the country of Israel from North to South, all the while being given a commentary on its history, especially the Roman influence. I shall follow up with a description of our trip from that viewpoint.

Ambitious Young People

                                                                                         Ambitious Young People!




Occasionally, one will attend a concert so fulfilling, that it contrasts with any concert in one’s memory. Last night’s Fountainview Academy’s performance in British Columbia’s White Rock Baptist Church sanctuary was that outstanding. Anyone who attended on Saturday night was talking about it excitedly after church on Sunday morning.



The group consisted of 85 musicians, both vocalists and instrumentalists of highest caliber. They completely filled the stage to overflowing. Gifted and disciplined individuals played violins, cellos, double bass, oboe, tubular bells, French horns, flutes, saxophones, trombones, clarinets, trumpets, a tuba, piano and harpsichord. Combined with the mixed choir, they delivered some unforgettable music. Hymns were animatedly enunciated, and conveyed their sacred messages.



Students and staff wrote all the arrangements and orchestrations. The songs were favourite familiar hymns. Some of the captivating hymns were, “Amazing Grace,” “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go,” and “Wonderful Words of Life,” accompanied by the fullness of a well balanced, precisely directed symphony orchestra. Softly played, smooth transitions between hymn arrangements made those interludes reverential, spiritual moments, when ovation wasn’t appropriate, while in the latter half of the program, appreciative acknowledgments after each rendition were made by the audience of several hundred.



Music students from  all over the world attend Fountainview Academy. I spoke with several. One young lady was from Minnesota. Others were from Spokane Washington, New Zealand, British Columbia, Norway and Iceland. The Academy is located in Lillooet, BC, amongst beautiful mountainous scenery. Their email address is, music@fountainview.ca Recorded music, entitled, “Steps to Christ in Song,” is available. Their CD’s were selling like hot cakes at the concert.



We were informed that this group of musicians travels considerable distances to perform, one excursion being to the southernmost part of California. I noticed their conveyances included two big buses and a trailer.



The music was both familiar and enjoyable. Personally, I have arranged many hymns in hymnbooks for the bagpipes, which I have shared with pipers  as The Church Piper. I reflect on how lovely it would be if a pipe band of this size could similarly perform  for concerts across North America, playing and singing the great old hymns. Maybe someday one will.

Enjoying the Symphony

A recent afternoon will remain in our good memories. We invited our seven-year-old granddaughter to a symphony concert. She loved the experience, both the symphony and the new methods of transportation. Besides, she is doing well with her piano and Highland dancing lessons.

The symphony concert is called Tea and Crumpets because tea with a cookie is served during the hour before the program begins. Since it starts at three in the afternoon, and we live in White Rock, about three-quarters of an hour from Vancouver, we picked up our granddaughter at her school, at noon, then left the car near the bus stop. Shortly, we were on the bus headed for Vancouver. Julia felt very special to have been given permission to be absent from  school that afternoon.

We transferred to the skytrain for an exciting ride to the inner city. With plenty of time before the concert, we had lunch in Sears. A short walk took us to the old, but beautifully designed and ornate Orpheum Theatre. We enjoyed our cookie and cup of tea. Julia was quite sophisticated, sipping her tea, with her little finger curved in the way stylish English ladies do it when they have afternoon tea.

Julia had the privileged seat beside her grandmother, while I sat twenty seats to the right. There, I could casually observe how our little granddaughter was enjoying the symphony. Afterwards, she told us that she had not realized there would be so many instruments playing together, and that she liked watching the busy conductor. Of course, Pierre Simard is an extraordinarily animated conductor and it was for everyone, entertaining to watch him conduct first one section and than another. When the music required more power, he supplied it. He used more and more energy, even working up a storm  which compelled the music and built it to a crescendo…for more than one selection. Julia would have much to tell her teacher and fellow students the next day at school. She took the program to show them.

Before boarding the skytrain back to the where we would transfer to a bus, we stopped again at Sears, to enjoy a hot chocolate and biscuit. Our return on the crowded skytrain and bus was an eye-opening experience as well for Julia, because she realized there are many people who rely upon this way of getting to work or school. By car, we took Julia home. She would tell her parents and brothers about her great day. Of course, her two brothers were confident that they can anticipate a special day too, with their grandparents; possibly an afternoon of geocaching, one of their favorite pastimes. Grandparents have a special roll familiarizing their grandchildren with things out and around, to build their confidence in being able to do the same eventually, alone.

A Tangled Web

My wife and I spent two evenings watching and listening to the two DVD’s about the sports career of a revered cricketeer, Hansie Cronje. The first was an enactment while the second was of endearing interviews; four hours with his brother, his mother, wife, sister in law, various teammates and authorities.

We were impressed as thousands were, by his objectivity in putting forth his best effort as an enthusiastic player and captain of his team, while leading his team  into world championships, to be revered by his country, South Africa, for his wonderful example of honest to goodness sportsmanship.

He was raised in a stalwart Christian family with principles of right and wrong. Hansie was confronted by bookmakers and enticed by their offer of thousands of dollars, to lose rather than win certain competitions. Either the temptation to have that much money in his pocket, or the inability to admit to his coaches and authorities that he had been bribed prevented him  from reporting the bribery. He kept the secret to himself and though he kept the money, he never threw a game. He always played his best and required his teammates to do likewise. Soon, he was ensnarled in illicit dealings with bookmakers.

We perceived that he responded like most people would, for he believed that by keeping his secret, no one would be affected. Only he and the bookmakers would know. Although he professed to have a personal relationship with God and wanted everyone to perceive him  as honest, he had been dealing with the devil and was in effect lying to God. As the Bible tells us, Satan is like a roaring lion. He walks up and down this earth, seeing whom  he can devour and will strike where persons are vulnerable. In Hansie’s case, it was by way of his unfortunate love of money. Before he knew it, he was ensnared in illicit dealings.

My mother used to tell us that a person weaves a tangled web as he or she intends to deceive. Hansie wove that web as surely as a spider constructs its web. He secretly dealt with the bookkeepers and yet, he wanted to do what was right in the eyes of God. His greed overpowered him, allowing Satan to be in control. The devil was ruining his life. He became irritable and unable to sleep at night.

If Hansie had admitted his dealings to those on the National Board, The Cricket South Africa Staff governing cricket competitions, acknowledging that he had been solicited by bookmakers not to win, he would have saved himself, his teammates and his nation much heartache.

After he admitted that he had accepted money from  bookmakers, even though he had never once purposely lost a game, he felt some release, but not the freedom  he had experienced previously, when he held to his principles of honesty. He decided to admit his dealings to God and ask forgiveness. Knowing God would forgive him, he would make a public declaration to say that he was sincere in his repentance. If God forgave him  the world would too. He asked for God’s help in restoring him  to his former trustworthy self and was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. He began a new life for himself and a new trusting relationship with his dear wife, Beulah. He continued his education by earning a Master’s degree in business and entered a company’s employment. God gave him two more years in which his life was restored and fulfilling.

Hansie was killed in an airplane accident. The cargo plane in which he had hitched a ride, crashed into a mountainside. Although he missed his scheduled flight home because of a snowstorm, he went to his eternal home to be with his Lord. He left this world having given us a wonderful example of a person not unlike any one of us. All of us are prone to human weaknesses, and by Hansie’s example, we can ask God for forgiveness and a new start in life. We may allow our weaknesses to control us, and suffer the consequences. Nevertheless, we are assured that forgiveness and reconciliation is by trusting in God’s love.

Beyond the Sunset

In our Life Group, which is what we call our mid-week Bible Study, each person is given a turn to lead the others in a short devotional and prayer before the study begins. My topic was taken from the hymn, “Beyond the Sunset,” which I arranged for Volume 14 of The Church Piper. The music and its words are beautiful. I was impressed by how the author used his knowledge of Scripture to write poetry.

The beauty of the sky reminded Virgil Brock of Heaven. He reminisced that when our work is ended and day is done, we’ll go to Heaven and be with our Saviour. It will be a day of gladness and eternal joy, free from fears and worries. Christ will guide us to the Father we adore, to be welcomed.

The last verse is dear to us in that we have the eternal hope of being reunited with our loved ones.

Beyond the Sunset, O glad reunion,
With our dear loved ones who’ve gone before,
In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting,
Beyond the sunset forevermore.

Peter wrote of our thankfulness to Christ our Saviour, saying, “An entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:11

We who live in White Rock or South Surrey British Columbia, often walk along the waterfront as the sun is receding beneath the clouds. It is a spectacular sight and we easily imagine that wonderful place we call Heaven, lying just beyond the sinking sun.

At this point in the devotional, I will play several verses of the hymn on my practice chanter while the others read the verses they have been given.

An anonymous author composed a poem with words that fit the theme of Heaven very nicely. It is entitled, “Should You Go First.”

Should you go first and I remain, to walk the road alone,
I’ll live in memory’s garden dear, with happy days we’ve known.
In spring I’ll watch for roses red, and face the lilacs blue
And in early fall when brown leaves fall, I’ll catch a glimpse of you.


Should you go first and I remain, to finish with the scroll,
No lengthening shadows shall creep in to make this life seem droll.
We’ve know so much of happiness, we’ve had our cup of joy
And memory is one gift of God, that death cannot destroy.


Should you go first and I remain, one thing I’d have you do
Is walk slowly down that long lone path, for soon I’ll follow you.
I’ll want to know each step you take, that I may walk the same,
For someday down that lonely road, you’ll hear me call,
Yes, you’ll hear me call your name.


This beautiful poem reminded me of the pathway to Heaven that Jesus described in Matthew 7:13 and 14. He advised His listeners to “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

In John 14:6, Jesus referred to Himself as the gate to Heaven and said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” By this, He meant that to follow Him is the only way to Heaven. Comparatively few will understand this, but believe instead, that there are many ways to Heaven, such as keeping all the commandments and by leading a good life by helping others. Jesus compares this to a broad road that many follow, hoping it will lead to Heaven, but instead, that road leads to their destruction. In other words, it leads to Hell and not to Heaven. We know, like the person in the poem, that nothing enters Heaven by which it may be defiled and that Jesus paid the supreme sacrifice for our sake. Revelation 21:27 tells us, “Nothing impure will ever enter it (Heaven), nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” That Lamb is Jesus. “Jesus Paid it All.”

In the hymn, “Beyond the Sunset,” the person promises to walk slowly down that long lone path. That path is the one Jesus described. We are simply to have faith that we are forgiven of all sinfulness that would prevent us from defiling Heaven. Having been justified by His grace, we have the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7

With faith in Jesus, we will meet those dear ones who have gone before, and most likely find them waiting to welcome us home. By taking that same pathway, we will be certain to meet our loved ones who trusted Jesus and went before.