“Meaningless! Meaningless!” 
   says the Teacher. 
“Utterly meaningless! 
   Everything is meaningless.”

What do people gain from all their labors 
   at which they toil under the sun? 
Generations come and generations go, 
   but the earth remains forever. 
The sun rises and the sun sets, 
   and hurries back to where it rises. 
The wind blows to the south 
   and turns to the north; 
round and round it goes, 
   ever returning on its course. 
All streams flow into the sea, 
   yet the sea is never full. 
To the place the streams come from, 
   there they return again. 
All things are wearisome, 
   more than one can say. 
The eye never has enough of seeing, 
   nor the ear its fill of hearing. 
What has been will be again, 
   what has been done will be done again; 
   there is nothing new under the sun. 
Is there anything of which one can say, 
   “Look! This is something new”? 
It was here already, long ago; 
   it was here before our time. 

Ecclesiastes 1:1-10

I am listening to the 2011 Laing Lectures from Regent College about the Lure of Technology. The first lecture explored the boundaries of cyberspace and asked if there is room for grace within this space. The speaker meant grace as in the presence of God mediated by such things as communion or worship.

A long time ago, the Teacher said in Ecclesiastes that “there is nothing new under the sun.” He then went on to enumerate all the things he did to fill his days. I often imagined, if he had been born in our day and age, the Teacher exploring cyberspace and being the first to buy an iPad. But his conclusion that it was all “meaningless, a chasing after the wind” would probably have been the same.

We live in an age so immersed in virtual reality, we no longer notice it. The CD we listen to in our cars is a virtual re-presentation of a past musical performance. The character in a movie we laugh and cry with does not really exist. The family member we Skype is not really present in our living room. Which leads to the question: where is our very real God in all this?

One of the respondents to the lectures said that the Kingdom of God encompasses all space, including cyberspace. There is really no place where He is not. We, who bear His image, represent  Him in virtual reality which makes this space very real for us. He went on to speak about his Facebook friends, most of whom he knows personally and some of whom are people who heard him speak and wanted to be his friends. He cannot divorce this aspect of friendship from his real world interactions. They are closely tied and enhance each other.

The Teacher in Ecclesiastes concludes (after many weary chapters of crying, Meaningless! Meaningless!) “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: 
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” 

It is a good motto for the start of a new year.

C. Wong

Glenbrook is joining with other Mississauga-area churches to support The Eden Community Food Bank  by participating in their “Souper” bowl Sunday food drive on Sunday, February 5^th.  Everyone is asked to bring one  item from the following “most needed” list and to tape a toonie to the top of the item.  Together we can alleviate hunger in Mississauga!

Most Needed  Items:

Kraft Dinner

Protein beans – like chick peas, kidney beans, black beans, etc.

Peanut Butter / Jam

Canned Fruit

Canned Juice

Pasta Sauce / canned tomatoes

Cereal

Crackers / cookies

Shampoo / deodorant / toothpaste

We thank everyone for their continuing support of this outreach. Leprosy can be cured!

THE SMURFS movie: a family comedy starring Hank Azaria, Neil Patrick Harris, & George Lopez. When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world into New York City

Don’t forget to invite extended family and friends for this movie theatre experience, without the movie theatre price!

My wife and I had an opportunity recently to view this dramatic wonder. With a very early morning start, we drove up a winding road to find a lookout point on the upper area of the canyon. The two of us were alone at a lookout over the canyon, simply taking in God’s beautiful creation with all its majesty – perfectly still and peaceful. I caught movement below us out of the corner of my eye – a lone mountain goat passing 20 meters below on the edge of the slope. We watched with awe in the total silence as it travelled its daily path with complete confidence and sure footedness, despite the fact that one misstep could prove disastrous with a sheer drop inches away to the bottom of the canyon.

The activity in each of our personal daily walks is certainly not as dramatic as that which we witnessed with this mountain goat in the canyon. However, there may be times in our life when we lack confidence in the future and fear we may lose our footing and stumble. Perhaps we’re not at all sure of the path where God is leading us or why certain things have occurred in our life.

Psalm 119:105 reminds us that during times of insecurity or uncertainty, we can turn to God’s Holy Word as provided in the Bible for direction, clarity and comfort. It says: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”. This verse takes on greater significance to me as I think of how dangerous it would be to traverse that canyon ledge in the dark – without any light to show the safe & true path, disaster could be inches away.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and  lean not  on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Events in our lives may leave us bewildered and totally confused. During times like these, we are reminded to maintain our trust in God. He is working out a special plan for each of our lives despite our human feelings that say things may be swinging wildly out of control. It is difficult, if not impossible to rationalize certain events in our lives with human reasoning. However, we can be assured that God loves us and will provide us with everything we need to deal with life events.

One of my favorite scripture passages is found in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. During times of turmoil or uncertainty in my life when the path ahead looks uncertain and I’m worried about stumbling along the way, verses 6-7 of chapter 4 speak to me and assure me of my direct prayer pipeline to God through my Saviour Jesus Christ: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,  by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.

May God provide His blessing to you.

R. Roth

 In our last reading from Genesis we encountered Lamech, a descendant of Seth and the father of those responsible for the greatest technological advances of his era. In parallel to this, however, Lamech drew the conclusion that his status set him above others. He concluded that he was more than justified in killing a boy who had injured him. In this, Lamech stands as one in whom the sin of the Garden of Eden has come to full bloom. The sin of eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was to give in to the temptation to “be like God, knowing good and evil.” God alone, however, is the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong. Humans work from God’s moral standard—they do not get to decide independently what is sin and what is not. Lamech rejected this thinking and fully embraced the tempting words of the serpent. As a result, the world he inhabited was increasingly characterised by murder and strife.

Today’s reading sketches out a way that stands in marked contrast to the path of Lamech. In Genesis 5, the author presents a genealogy that runs from Adam to Noah. Genealogies can be tedious to read, but they are in the Bible for a reason. In this case, a careful reading shows that two names (Enoch and Lamech) appear in both lists, but clearly refer to different people. Other names in chapter five are quite similar, though not identical, with ones from chapter 4. For example, the names Muhujael, Methushael, and Irad, of chapter 4 are very similar to the names Mehalalel, Methuselah, and Jared from chapter 5. Some scholars have suggested that these similarities are evidence of textual confusion, but a better case can be made that they draw attention to a path other than the one chosen by the Lamech of chapter 4.

In chapter 5, the author is sketching out a parallel pathway for the human race—one in which humans do not try to replace God as moral authority, but who rather commit themselves to following God. In 5:21–24, we read of the “other” Enoch. This Enoch is distinguished not because of some great human achievement, but because “he walked with God.” In a world going downhill as high achievers pursued their own way, the sum total of this Enoch’s achievement is that he followed God. Enoch is rewarded when God “takes him”—unlike all other humans before him, Enoch does not die and go to Sheol or the Underworld, he goes to be with God. This is the first indication we have in the Bible that there is a way out of the curse of death.

Chapter 5 is connected to the previous chapter by the mention of a second Lamech. Both are connected by the number seven. The Lamech of chapter 4 boasts that he will be avenged 77 times in comparison to Cain’s seven times while the Lamech of chapter 5 lives for 777 years. The first Lamech lives out the sin of the Garden mentioned above by justifying murder. The second Lamech gives birth to Noah and names him as one who would bring comfort to the human race suffering under the curse.

The paths taken by the lines described in chapters 4 and 5 lead to dramatically different destinations. When humans take it upon themselves to decide morality, things end badly. It is this kind of thinking that in the past has led to forced sterilizations and gas chambers. By contrast, the kind of thinking that “walks with God” and relies on him for its standard of morality is the kind of thinking that produces people who care for others. It is the kind of thinking that has characterised the church at its very best.

In the early days of the twentieth century those in the Social Gospel Movement rallied under the slogan, “What Would Jesus Do?”—a saying that has recently been revived by evangelicals. While sometimes criticised as simplistic, this slogan is nonetheless helpful 

in calling us to measure our everyday actions against God’s standard. In doing this we will be walking the “other path”—God’s way that leads to compassion and peace.

B. Irwin

To register, download our brochure and registration form, print and mail-in or drop off at the Glenbrook office. Questions? Call Debora Lim, Director of Church Development at 905-820-9860. To download brochure, visit “Upcoming Events”.

I wonder whether there is a parallel phenomenon when conducting Bible study either individually or as a group.  Can you zoom in to the detail so much that the final outcome becomes somewhat “blurry” and therefore unclear to you?  After all, the reason for Bible study is clarifying our understanding of God’s word to us.  Going back to the photography example for a moment, have you ever tried to adjust the zoom lens to its maximum magnification then bring your eye to the viewfinder or display and search for, say, a bright red cardinal in a tree?  It would be almost impossible to find the subject of your photograph.  Instead you should look through the viewfinder at the general area, then zoom in until you see the subject clearly.  In the same way you can’t really dive into the detail of a passage of Scripture and expect to get a really clear “picture” of what God is teaching through His word.  What to do?  Once again photography has something to teach.  Newer digital cameras have a feature called “optical stabilization “ to correct for hand shake and this works quite well.  However, to get a really clear image at high magnification, the photographer needs to use a tripod.  This essentially eliminates all movement from the camera as the three legs of the tripod provide a stable platform for the camera.  There is a kind of “trinity” at work here.  The photographer also needs to view the general area before zooming in to the subject.

To get the most from Bible study also involves another Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Before beginning a bible study it is useful to have a basic understanding of God as creator of all things; knowledge of Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection; and trust in the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts. This trinity will be the platform (the tripod) that supports you when you look deeply into the detail of scripture.  For instance, when studying a book or a major section of a book of the Bible, you need to read the whole portion and understand the general theme or big picture first.  This may take some time and possibly more than one reading.  Only then can you really start to zoom in on the detail.  Even then, you need to always keep in mind what the big picture is all about.  In our Wednesday morning Bible study of Paul’s letter to the Romans, Pastor Ian follows this process in having the group understand the big picture initially and also reminding the group of the big picture in weekly reviews before probing into the detail.  If you have never studied Scripture in detail, then consider attending one of Pastor Ian’s Bible studies.  It comes with a guarantee similar to that which comes with your digital ultra zoom camera – You will be well rewarded with the outcome, but you need to put in the effort.

 G. Ryder

Does God speak to us today? You bet! Want to explore this topic further? If so, please join us for The Power of a Whisper: Hearing God. Having the Guts to Respond. We’ll meet for six Wednesday nights starting January 18th at 7:30 p.m.

This is a video-based study by best-selling author and Pastor Bill Hybels.  Over the course of six weeks we will learn to direct our everyday steps according to “whispers”  from God.  Through firsthand accounts spanning more than thirty years spent in the trenches of ministry, Hybels’s passion is to invite every Christ-follower to learn how to live with one ear perpetually tuned to heaven and how to meticulously obey every syllable of input received.  This will be a powerful, yet practical small group that helps participants invite God’s input into their daily routine and how to “practice” being in His presence.

Cost: $15. To register please call the Glenbrook office at 905-820-9860.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16 NIV)

Here we are at the start of a brand new year.  By now the Christmas gifts have been opened, played with or used.  Some of the excitement at the newness and novelty  is fading.  Perhaps some of us have even re-gifted some presents as they don’t suit our interests or needs.

I am saddened that “gift-giving” is seen as a chore or an obligation by many people today.  For some, gifts are used to buy favour, to demonstrate wealth,  or to fulfill others’ expectations.  “Gift cards” are really an oxymoron as all we are really doing is financing someone’s ability to choose and buy their own gift.

Convenience and expediency have replaced love and intimacy. Perhaps we no longer see someone regularly to know their hobbies and interests or to see their day-to-day needs.  For my mother, who lives 2,000 miles away, a cheque for her granddaughters is both practical and economical:  no need to pay Canada Post a small fortune to mail a parcel or to try and discern the latest fashion desires of teenagers. Gift cards or cash may have their place.  But too often today, gifts are seen as commodities – something to be opened, evaluated, and, if not to your taste, traded or re-gifted.

So what makes the perfect gift?  We have only to look to God’s example as set out in John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” God’s gift was borne out of love.  God’s gift was personal, precious and sacrificial.  God’s gift has lasting (external!) benefits!  It is truly the gift that keeps on giving!

The question for us all now, as we begin this new year, is how will we honour His gift?  Will we pack it up along with the rest of our Christmas decorations as the season draws to a close?  Or will we remember what Christ stands for and what he commands us to do?  Will we respond with faithfulness, perseverance, patience and love as we share the news of His gift with others?  Let’s open this gift, cherish it and share it with others in 2012.  It will satisfy every need and every desire. No need to re-gift!

D. Lim