Christian devotionals

Response to a Poem

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Photo by The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Unsplash

A response to Mr.Albergotti’s poem, “Things to do in the belly of the whale.”

First of all, Mr. Albergotti, it was not a whale, it was “a great fish” (Jonah 1:17). And I don’t think Jonah did any of those frivolous things, just to pass the time. Well, perhaps he put notches in the ribs of the creature. Perhaps. But “Organize your calendar. Dream of the beach. Work on your reports?” I don’t think so.

I think Jonah had other things on his mind. Like, how long would God keep him there in that most uncomfortable place? And where was this fish taking him? Did he know he was on his way to Nineveh?

I think he pondered his foolishness. How could he have believed he could run from the almighty God? How could he have believed his disobedience would go unpunished?

He probably did “review each of (his) life’s ten million choices.” He probably realized many of them could have put him here sooner, if not for the grace and mercy of his God, or, perhaps, because of it. I think he prayed, petitioned that God for more of the same. He knew he couldn’t do what God called him to do without grace and mercy.

Jonah prayed a prayer of faith there, in the belly of that fish. He declared God’s faithfulness and knew he would once again worship in His temple. Jonah knew the story wasn’t over yet. He knew he would live; this was just beginning of the story.

But God had more to teach him, because Jonah was, indeed, a foolish man. He did not rejoice when he saw what God did in Nineveh. He was angry. He wanted those wicked people to perish in fire and brimstone.

So God gave him a shade plant and then took it away. When Jonah groaned and wanted God to end his life, God reminded Jonah that He was in control, it was He who created the people of Nineveh and He who created the plant. It was He who would control their destiny. Jonah had no agency in either case, other than to obey.

But God was merciful. He did not take Jonah’s life and though we do not know what happened to him after Nineveh it is safe to assume that God had more for him to do.

Perhaps Jonah finally learned the lesson God was trying to teach him. Perhaps obedience was a bit easier after the lessons he learned in Nineveh. Perhaps not. In either case, God did not give up on him.

God does not give up on any of us. That’s the most powerful lesson in the story of Jonah. Putting him in the belly of a fish was an act of love and grace and mercy. And we can be assured that all of that is poured out on us as well. “Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jeus Christ the Father’s Son, I truth and love” (2 John 1:3).

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Pre-order Flecks of Gold, my next book filled with stories, devotionals and poetry all about the Yukon.

Another Milestone Achieved

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I am so thankful for all those who have supported me and my work. Flecks of Gold is sure now to be published (tentative date is the end of August).

Here’s a short clip about hitting this goal and the next step – https://crowdfundr.com/stories/8NOLka?ref=sh_6CmT8c

You’re Invited!

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To my 75th Birthday Zoom Party. Tomorrow! Monday May 4th @ 12:00 noon Mountain Time.

We’ll chat about my new book, Flecks of Gold – Yukon Stories

And we’ll launch the Crowdfundr Campaign.

There will be prizes! And Yukon stories and maybe a poem or two.

Here’s the link to register – if you can’t make it at that time, it will be recorded so be sure to register to get the link.

Birthday Party Link – Marcia’s Yukon Stories: A 75th Birthday Legacy Book by Siretona Creative

Be sure to scroll down to register. You’ll get a notification for the replay.

Hope to see you there!

:)Marcia

An Unusual Rescue

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Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash

An Unusual Rescue

Psalm 118:5

If we had heard a weather forecast, we might have stayed home. It was only about 35 below when we headed to town, but by the time we came out of a meeting, close to midnight, it had dropped to minus 65. Our truck would not start. Neither would the other vehicles parked outside. As I watched from the warmth of the doorway, my husband and a few friends donned some unusual head gear and hovered over the one truck they thought might rise to the occasion.

Their head gear, hats woven of warm Alpaca wool, had tall peaks with tassles on the ends and long tapered ear flaps that bobbed with each step. They made the guys look a lot like Santa’s elves. None of them realized how comical they looked, as they scurried around the truck, trying to get it to start. Someone produced a propane torch to heat the oil pan. Someone else produced a tarp to cover the hood. Then we all huddled in the doorway, hoping for success. We cheered when the motor roared to life before catching on fire! As we crammed into the cab for the trip home, the guys left their hats on, still oblivious to how they looked.

We had only gone a few miles when we saw a faint light. It burned for a few moments, then died. We leaned forward as it appeared again, directly ahead. Our driver slowed down as we got closer. The dim light flashed one more time and we realized it was a truck in the middle of the road. All of us piled out as we pulled to the side to investigate. The truck door opened, and a young woman peered out. Her lips were blue, her bare hands, wrapped around a small kitten, were white with frostbite. She tried to swing her legs out but needed help. When she stood up, her feet, clad only in running shoes, wouldn’t move. As the men lifted her into our warm vehicle, I noticed she looked at them with an odd expression. It wasn’t until later we discovered she thought she was hallucinating. She didn’t expect to be rescued by a band of Santa’s elves!

Psalm 118:5 says – “In my distress I prayed to the Lord and the Lord answered me and rescued me.” Rescue. In the nick of time. If we hadn’t been on the road that night, that young woman would have died. I don’t know if she prayed, but, in desperate situations, most people do. Unfortunately, most of us don’t recognize we are in a desperate place when we are without God. We depend on things like trucks with heaters, refusing to believe they might break down in the worst places at the worst times. We think we are safe when in reality we are on the brink of disaster.

God is in the rescue business, and we all need to be rescued.

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This story is one that will be included in my upcoming book Flecks of Gold, Yukon Stories

I’m very excited to let you all know that the Crowdfundr campaign for the book is now live. This book is a compilation of stories about my personal experiences in the Yukon, with a bit of poetry and fiction thrown in for flavour. The campaign will launch on my birthday, May 4th.

To be notified when it goes live just click the SUBSCRIBE button at the top of the crowdfundr page.

I’m excited about all the perks being offered, including some unique Yukon items.

Thank you in advance for your support!

https://crowdfundr.com/flecksofgold?ref=sh_6CmT8c_ab_4dBWbYqxyKK4dBWbYqxyKK

For all my writer friends: I’m happy to announce that the Abundant Rain Writers’ Pilgrimage will run again beginning the end of this month. See details below. :)

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The David is A Lie

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Michaelangelo’s David. Photo by M. Laycock

“If you ever get to Italy, go to Florence. You must see Michaelangelo’s David.” My art history professor said it more than once while I attended his classes. So when my daughter invited us to accompany her on a trip to that country to celebrate her 40th birthday, the first thing I put on my list was “See the David.”

I was not disappointed. We entered the Accademia Gallery with a huge tour group (they estimate 6,000 people view the statue every day) and when I turned my head as we entered, I caught my breath and whispered, “there it is.” We were some distance away but even so, standing at 5.17-metres (17 ft) tall, the statue was impressive. The tour guide explained that the hands and feet are disproportionately large because it would be viewed from below.

Originally it was commissioned for the front of the cathedral in Florence but was instead placed in the public square in front of the Palazzo della Signoria, the seat of civic government in Florence, where it was unveiled on 8 September 1504. 

I can’t pretend to know what was in Michaelangelo’s mind when he created his masterpiece. I would hope his intention was to depict a young boy, the least of his brothers, who was not even counted worthy enough to be presented to the prophet when he came to anoint Israel’s new king. That depiction would have been true to scripture. (1Samuel 16:1-13).

But other forces held sway. We know what was in the minds of the men who commissioned the statue. They wanted a representation of a virile, heroic man, to symbolize the power and might of their city. It seems their intention had nothing at all to do with the Biblical character of one of God’s most beloved servants.

This certainly would not be the first nor last time that God’s intentions were usurped by the political desires of men of power. It is a familiar ploy of Satan, to take what God intended to be good, honourable and holy and twist it into something totally disconnected from those sentiments.

God’s most precious and powerful tool, the Bible itself, has been used in that way, used to justify despicable acts, used in the hands of dishonourable men as a symbol of their fake allegiance to the God of the Bible.

But …

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:7,8).

The lies men perpetuate will come back to haunt them. They too will stand before God and be judged, as will we all. We all should heed the warning of Galatians 6.

God will never allow Himself to be mocked.

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To read more of my work subscribe to my Substack

Have You Made Plans?

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Photo by Steve Lieman on Unsplash

The men of Dawson City Gospel Chapel had just finished a prayer breakfast and were about to start work on the new church building. They were all anxious to get at it because the date of the dedication had been set and they were behind schedule. The pastor had prayed that morning for a couple more carpenters to help with the work.

They were about to begin when there was a knock on the door. The pastor answered and listened patiently to the man’s story. He and his son had been trying to leave town, heading for Alaska on their vacation. But every time they tried to drive up the long hill out of town their vehicle broke down. “I was told there’s someone here who is a good mechanic,” he said. “Could I get him to have a look?” The pastor invited him in and explained his situation to the other men. Then he turned to the man and asked his name. “Bud Carpenter,” the man responded. “And this is my son, Josh Carpenter.”

He was a little puzzled when the men started to laugh, until the pastor told him what he had just prayed a few moments before answering the knock on the door. Bud then laughed with them and explained that he was taking his son to Alaska as a graduation gift and they really had no firm time schedule. “I’m pretty good with a hammer. We’d be happy to help for a few days.” They stayed for a week. The mechanic looked at their vehicle and found nothing wrong with it. The work was finished on time and the pair continued on their way after the dedication celebration. Their car had no trouble climbing that hill.

I was thinking about that story the other day and thinking about how we are all like those Carpenters in a way. All of us are busily going on our way, with our own agendas and plans. But sometimes God throws a bit of a detour into the plan. We can react to it in two ways. We can fight it and keep on trying to climb that hill, or we can stop and listen for His voice to see if perhaps there is another plan in place.

For instance, a friend told me a story about going on a mission trip to India. The plans had been well made, the itinerary laid out and everything seemed in place. But when they arrived no-one met them. My friend said it was interesting to see how the group members handled it. Those from North America were stressed and some were angry. They wanted to call some one and get it all straightened out so they could get back on schedule. But there were two fellows from Africa who counselled a different way. They suggested the group wait and pray. So they slept in the train station that night and prayed.

The next day a young man arrived on a motorcycle. “I’ve been sent to get you,” he said. But he was not from the mission and had no idea why he was sent to get them. After some debate they decided to go with him and ended up having a tremendous time of ministry and growth in his village. Nothing was structured. Each day was a routine of waking up and praying to see what God wanted them to do. And each day they were blessed. They never did connect with the original group they were supposed to work with but they all knew they had done what God intended.

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21

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Find more of Marcia’s writing on Substack – https://marcialeelaycock.substack.com

Bird On A Wire

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By Marcia Lee Laycock

Photo by Michaela Filipcikova on Unsplash

A friend of mine once revealed his hidden talents. He sent us a Christmas card with a picture of a painting he created some time ago. The card sat on our table for quite a while after the season was past, because I loved the image. It’s a winter scene of a tiny bird sitting on the curl of a barbed wire fence.

As I stared at it one day it made me think of how true a representation of life it is. There are so many contrasts in our lives – many things that are beautiful, soft and fragile like that tiny bird, and many things that are hard, hurtful and ugly, like that strand of barbed wire. Though the two seem to be so opposite, they both have purpose. That tiny bird is part of a huge eco-system that is finely tuned and elegantly balanced. Its song adds to the air of our existence and its beauty gives us pleasure. Tiny birds are examples of God’s goodness to us – that he would give us such things just to make us smile and turn our world toward harmony.

And that barbed wire – the cold, sharp and ugly wire – has a purpose too. Just ask any farmer who has stock to control. Without barbed wire, animals would wander, perhaps into dangerous places. Without the boundaries that wire represents there would be a lot of chaos in our world.

Several people we know have gone through some hard and ugly things lately. Some of those things are ongoing. It’s hard to see purpose in them, hard to see that there will be any good come of these things, yet we know some day there will be. Some day we may even see and understand. We know that, because we know our God. He is a God of order and balance and beauty who sees all things – the greater good, the bigger picture, the expanse of the eco-system He created – and He is in control of it all. We can know He is working all things out according to His purposes.

I was teaching a group of children about this recently. We were studying the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis – that young boy who was so loved by his father and so hated by his brothers. We talked about the hard and ugly things Joseph went through – betrayal by family, slavery, wrongful imprisonment. But finally we came to those famous words Joseph spoke to his terrified brothers –

 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20 NIV).

God was, is, always will be in control. He told his disciples as much, and He has told us –

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV).

As we launch into a new year – 2025! Can you believe it? – Knowing God is in control is a great comfort to all believers. If you have not yet received that gift, but want to, please contact me. vinemarc AT Telus dot Net

And have a wonderfully blessed New Year!

Christmas is for Kids

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Photo by Zara Walker on Unsplash

My mother always said, “Christmas is for kids.”

She’d make that statement several times every Christmas season. When we “kids” got older it seemed to be kind of a hint that we were too big for all the fanfare and fuss. But I always thought to myself, oh good, I get to act like a kid again! I suppose, in a way, my mother was right. It’s the kids who generate the excitement, the kids who take delight in all the presents and decorations. And sometimes it’s the kids who teach us what Christmas should be all about.

Now that I’m an adult, watching little ones in the shops and malls is a delight because they are so enthralled with everything they see. They seem to see all the tinsel and glitter as though it were silver and gold. They seem to have the ability to just believe in all the wonder and mystical possibilities of Christmas. 

We recently watched the classic Christmas movie, Elf. The story is about a man who was raised by Santa’s elves and goes in search of his real father when he finally learns he’s human. (A little suspension of disbelief is obviously needed by adult viewers). The story is about a man with a child’s heart. Everything delights him. Of course, he slams up against the cynicism of the real world, time and again, but he manages to keep his child-like innocence and eventually manages to affect change in the hearts of the cynical adults around him.     

Having a child’s heart isn’t only a prerequisite for enjoying Christmas, it’s also a prerequisite for belonging to the kingdom of God. Jesus said so Himself in the book of Luke, chapter 18, verse 16 – “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  

What is it that children have that we must have, in order to gain this kingdom? Their innocence, certainly; their willingness to accept that there is someone bigger than them who knows better; their immediate outpouring of love in response to love bestowed on them; their unabashed willingness to tell others what they believe, even if those others scoff. 

And most of all, their wholehearted, unreserved faith. Children believe with their whole heart, their whole mind, their whole strength. It’s not something they have to force or work at, they just let it happen. They receive the love and forgiveness intended for them and then act accordingly. Oh, to be a child again! To open our hearts to God’s love and then let it pour out, that’s the message of Christmas we all need to receive. Yes, Christmas is for kids. And we all get to be kids again. Maybe, if we start today, it will last all year long.

May your Christmas be all that God intends.

Just a Little R & R, Please

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Photo by Sergey Zolkin on Unsplash

I get a little nervous whenever my husband starts hmmm-ing around my – uh, excuse me, our – computer. It usually means he wants to change something. It usually takes him several weeks to convince me it’s a good idea. He managed to do so a while ago and it entailed some major changes to our internet connections. I reluctantly gave up my chair and let him sit at my – um, our – keyboard.

He fiddled for quite a while and was on the phone to get help a few times, but finally it was all set to go. Then he clicked into a menu with two rather scary options listed. The first selection was “release all,” the second, “renew all.” I held my breath. Spence double clicked. Then he grinned at me. “See? he said, “That was easy.” Well, not quite. It took a few more persistent phone calls, but eventually the new system was complete. And I had to admit it was a lot better than the old one.

Release all. Renew all. Two phrases that have parallels in our spiritual lives. In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul talks about the process. “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires…” Perhaps if Paul were alive today he would say, ‘release all’ – release all the habits and ways of living that have taken us in the wrong direction. They are habits that have corrupted our connection to God.

Like a computer, a person cannot be renewed until he gives God the permission to begin the process in him that will get rid of the old ways. He then has to grow in an awareness of his new identity in Christ. And as he does so, he releases more and more of what used to be, the corrupted connections, the “old man” who is now a decaying corpse.

Paul goes on to say – “to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Renew all. Once the old is dead and discarded, the new can begin to grow and flourish. Our new identity in Christ, the identity we were originally intended to have, is a clear connection to our Father, one that cannot be corrupted.

Does that sound easy? I wish I could say it’s as easy as double clicking a selection on a computer’s menu, but it’s not. Real life is never easy, but the rewards of persevering in this pursuit cannot be underestimated. The rewards lead us straight to God, to His holiness, His righteousness, His love. As we strengthen our connection with Him, He pours all of these and more into us and through us.

Release all. Renew all.

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