MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Peace on Earth
T
his is the time of year when I reacquaint myself with the stories surrounding the Nativity. Among those stories is the one of the shepherds out in the field as recorded in Luke chapter two and verse eight and on: “And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. An angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people.” I put myself in the sandals of the Shepherd on that quiet, lonely, starlit night. Being the guardian of the sheep, he was always alert to potential dangers. Among his greatest fears would be the howling of a predator, sounds of a rustler set upon stealing his sheep, or the poverty that often came with his profession. Angelic messengers were a new threat that he had not experienced before. Fear was not unique to the shepherds alone. People living in our modern society are also filled with fear. We fear wars, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis and a host of other terrors that are both increasing in frequency 2
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and nearness to The words where we live. of the Angels Closer at hand, served to quiet we fear health the shepherd’s concerns found The angel said… fears, “Do in the form of not be afraid.” Do not be afraid; Jesus reminds diseases such for behold I bring us that these as cancers and you good news ever increasing words apply to mental health all times and of a great joy concerns. circumstances. which shall be for Jesus is To all mankind all the people. the master of comes the very relieving our same freedom fears. We see from fear. That this illustrated unconquerable throughout His sense of peace ministry. The gives us the demoniacs unique ability to were a fearsome face every danger. spectacle for the This is a heritage disciples with their lacerations available to every child of God. and bruises and crusty blood. No matter what danger may Jesus commanded their release confront us, no matter what set and return to sanity. During of circumstances may threaten the ferocious storm when life to overwhelm us, our lives can seemed perilous, Jesus was be entrusted to the care of an all found asleep in the boat. Upon caring God who has granted us awakening, He is surprised at His peace. the consternation and speaks those commanding words, ‘Peace be still.’ The fear of the disciples was echoed by my oldest son when he was about 3 years of age. We were tobogganing on a hill in Sylvan Lake. We hit an unexpected bump and were elevated some distance into the Gary Hodder air. My son called out, ‘Lord President Alberta Conference save us, or we will perish.’
DECEMBER DECEMBER 2018 2018
