Abolition and Wesley

For those who are remembering the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in England this year, you may be interested in a new book by Joshua Press (December 2006) called Social justice through the eyes of Wesley. It is subtitled John Wesley's theological challenge to slavery.

I had a hand in getting it into print and found it fascinating to learn more about Wesley and how he was able to exert considerable influence to help bring public opinion around on the issue. His support of William Wilberforce, Anthony Benezet, Thomas Clarkson, and others, was powerfully used of God to help propel political change on this issue.

Author Irv Brendlinger, a Methodist professor, really brings to light how Wesley's theology — his view of God, of man, etc. — was foundational to him using his influence to try to affect social change. You may not agree with all of Wesley's theology but hopefully, like I was, you will be drawn to admire the way God used him to help address this horrible trade.

Check it out at www.sola-scriptura.ca or www.joshuapress.com

Memories...

Memories... they are a strange thing. Sometimes they bring comfort, sometimes they remind you of painful times, sometimes they just make you want to shut down. It's hard to find places for memories sometimes. Where do they fit into your current head space... or do you just try to block them out. Sometimes we relive memories. Memories of people we have loved and lost. Lost through circumstances, lost through that final of all veils, death. This week my mind is full of many things. And I just can't quite find the space to think clearly about them all. I wonder what to think, where to let my thoughts go.

The psalmist, David, in Psalm 13 seemed to have a similar struggle. He writes, "How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?" In the end, for David, it seemed to come down to trust. He just had to trust in his God. He continues in verse 5: "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me." It is strange, but it is hard to think about singing and rejoicing when you have a heavy heart... but, that I suppose is the wonder of someone who walked so close to God. In calling out to God with his thought-wrestling and sorrow he was able to get some perspective and remember the unfailing love of God. I hope I can come to that space too.

Two years ago today I lost a dear friend, Jane Almond, to cancer. I have many precious memories — of little adventures, jam sessions, road trips, long talks, photo sessions, golden glint times... A mix of fun, laughter, and sad moments too. I can't always figure out what to do with them in my head — but I am learning to treasure them all and every memory of her. And, at the end of a day like today, I remind myself of the unfailing love of God. And just try to rest in that.

Anticipation

Christ and His cross are not separable in this life; howbeit they part at heaven's door, for there is no room for crosses in heaven. Not one tear, one sigh, one sad heart, one fear, one loss, or thought of trouble, can find lodging there. They are but the marks of our Lord Jesus down in this stormy country, on this side of death.
—Samuel Rutherford

Backslidings and returns

Here is one of Isaac Watts compositions from an old edition of his works that I purchased a few years back. How much I see myself in his experience… and how grateful I am that "…my dear Lord returns again, He flies to my relief: Seizing my soul with sweet surprise, He draws with loving bands, divine compassion in His eyes, and pardon in His hands." The poem is long but the flow of his thought makes it necessary (and worth the read):

Backslidings and Returns

Why is my heart so far from Thee,
My God, my chief delight?
Why are my thoughts no more, by day,
With Thee, no more by night?

[Why should my foolish passions rove?
Where can such sweetness be,
As I have tasted in Thy love,
As I have found in Thee?]

When my forgetful soul renews
The savour of Thy grace,
My heart presumes I cannot lose
The relish all my days.

But ere one fleeting hour is past,
The flattering world employs
Some sensual bait to seize my taste,
And to pollute my joys.

Trifles of nature, or of art,
With fair deceitful charms,
Intrude into my thoughtless heart,
And thrust me from Thy arms.

Then I repent, and vex my soul,
That I should leave Thee so;
Where will these wild affections roll,
That let a Saviour go?

[Sin’s promised joys are turned to pain,
And I am drowned in grief;
But my dear Lord returns again,
He flies to my relief:

Seizing my soul with sweet surprise,
He draws with loving bands,
Divine compassion in His eyes,
And pardon in His hands.]

Wretch that I am, to wander thus,
In chase of false delight!
Let me be fastened to Thy cross,
Rather than lose Thy sight.

[Make haste, my days, to reach the goal,
And bring my heart to rest
On the dear centre of my soul,
My God, my Saviour’s breast.]

—Isaac Watts