Smoke is to fire as sin is to...

I hate smoke.

Sure I like fire. I like it bright and hot but hold the wood smoke please. I like my gas fireplace. Pure, uncorrupted fire without the dirty smoke. Dangerous? How dangerous could flammable gas piped under our feet and into our homes be? What could go wrong? Anyhow it's way more convenient than wood cutting.

Of course in the summer, we turn down the gas, grab up the kids and head to the beach. Which usually leads to roasting hot dogs and s'mores. To do that you need a fire, and where there's a fire there's usually smoke. When they finally invent a gas beach fire I'll probably buy one.

"Hey kids who wants to help dad set up the fire?"

"Son don't wave that burning marshmallow NEAR THE PROPANE TAN..."

I don't want the smell of smoke on my clothes and wherever I sit the wind blows the smoke in my face. Not to mention, breathing the stuff will probably give you cancer.

Even though we're imperfect and full of smoke.
Jesus is full of gentleness and grace.
When He sees a tiny spark of fire in our lives
He doesn't put it out.

A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. - Isaiah 42:3

Deconstructing a life spent chasing the wind

I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.
I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.
I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house.
I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.

I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces.
I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well—the delights of the heart of man.
I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me.

In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.

Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. - Ecclesiastes 2:4-11

Ecclesiastes is a strange book. Sometimes I have even wondered why it's in the Bible. And then my wife told me it's like Solomon's mid life crisis and then it all seemed to make a little more sense to me. Here's this guy who's basically got everything the world has to offer; success, slaves, possessions, money, women and fame. And then he comes to the realisation that it's all meaningless.

I recently watched Jean-Claude Van Damme's latest movie. "JCVD". Hold on, I know what you're thinking, don't roll your eyes, trust me it's not the usual muscles from Brussels fare.

It's Jean-Claude in real life. Gone is the invincible martial artist. He's aging, broke, very mortal and caught in the middle of a post office heist. It's actually quite odd to see him in this situation. Afraid for his life and unable to disarm the 50-something, overweight robbers.

At one point in the movie he breaks into this introspective soliloquy where he looks back on his life. A Belgian nobody who learned karate, got a break in Hollywood, became a star and had the world by the tail. Money, fame, wives, drugs, etcetera. Now he wonders what the point of it all was? Everything he's done, everything he is, everything he had is nothing. An elusive vapour.

So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. - Ecclesiastes 2:17

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Distaff and spindle

Do you tire of hearing Proverbs 31 on Mother's Day?

Thankfully the congregation I attend was not subjected to that microscope today. I always found it strange to hear that impossibly perfect woman described on Mother's Day while all the men just have to "sit around at the gate".

I'm here to take a huge burden off mothers everywhere... I don't believe this passage is meant to put pressure on you, or at least it's not yours to bear alone.

I believe this scripture is about the bride of Christ. So to all you men smiling and nodding your heads, silently hoping all the women are listening, better listen up as well.

Without question, Christ has completed the most difficult part of the equation in our relationship. He is worthy to receive all honour and praise. He contracts His business at the gate and signed the cheques in His blood. Our lot is to attend to the work He has given us. Stretch out our hands and take hold of the distaff and spindle. The whole passage is an important challenge for the church and I'll highlight what I believe is the material point;

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. - Proverbs 31:30

Jesus doesn't want to marry some snake oil saleswoman or a Barbie beauty queen he wants a bride of true character; wise, diligent and strong.