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Tag: Jim Cantelon

April 16, 2025

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

Jonathan Haidt, author of the culture challenging book, “The Anxious Generation” was interviewed recently by Katty Kay of the BBC about the negative influence of smart phones on children. It’s an insightful and revealing interview (worth googling). He observes the various downsides of smartphones, one of them being that they are providing refuge of a sort for parents “over parenting” in what’s seen as an increasingly dangerous world. Parents don’t want to allow their kids out into that danger. They’d rather see them alone in house with their phones. Says Haidt, “We’re not going to restore trust in our neighbors such that we can let our kids out. That’s not going to happen. In fact, it’s likely to get a lot worse as we go into the era of Artificial Intelligence, when we have no idea of what’s true. We’re never going to know what’s true again for a long time, if ever.”

Whoa! As I read this, I thought of Pontius Pilate’s rhetorical question as Jesus was brought before him for judgement, “What is truth?” This question resonates throughout history. Truth is the foundation for life. If that foundation is shaken who can build a life?

Now, more than ever before, we need to hear and believe Jesus when he said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…”. His words are truly relevant today.

In our western culture where the buzz words have been “your truth…my truth…our truth” (all relative terms) it’s time to rediscover THE truth. Jesus is “the same yesterday, today, and forever”.

March 05, 2025

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

Most of us may not want to admit it but we like being in control. Overlooking the constant impact of that which we can’t control (like our autonomic nervous system, our internal organ function, our general genetic makeup, etc, etc) we flatter ourselves with our self discipline, fitness and diet values, money management, social interactions, and on and on. We think we’re in control but, of course, we’re not.

The book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible reminds us that pretty much every circumstance in our lives is “seasonal”:

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.”
(Eccl.3:1-8).

Much can be seen in these words but one key truth is that we don’t control the seasonal dynamics of life but we “participate” in the broader scheme of things. Ultimately we’re under the control of the heavenly order, where our Father “works everything for our good”. We are not called to control but to trust his loving and sovereign care. Indeed a most excellent slogan for our lives is,” In God We Trust”.

February 05, 2025

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

Recently as I was researching the comments of Jewish rabbis on the biblical book of Genesis I came across a treatise on what one of them called,”The power of return”. His thesis was that God places a high value on repentance. His grace is catalyzed by the sinner who confesses and then turns his back on his sinful behaviour and turns back to God. The rabbi stressed that the Lord loves to forgive. Indeed He finds repentance irresistible.

Our challenge with repentance is that our pride is offended not only by admitting we’re in the wrong but by the humility that it requires. We don’t like being a supplicant. We don’t want to be seen as needy.

So we continue infected with the toxicity of sin rather than the healing of forgiveness. Better to be in control than at the mercy of our creator no?

This is why so many of us walk with a limp. We put a good face on it but we’re carrying a crushing load.

I remember a little gospel song we used to sing at church when I was a kid,”Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there”. Sounds simplistic but it is profound. Jesus said, “Him who the son sets free is free indeed”. Millions of supplicants over the centuries have found this to be true. Repentance is the open door to freedom. Indeed there is “power in return”.

January 08, 2025

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

The new year has come. Who knew we’d see 2025? I remember the prophets of doom warning that the 21st century might never come to pass. Now we’ve already lived a quarter century in this millennium. And, even though there are crises of magnitude everywhere, our world is still turning and there is hope. Nevertheless many of us saw/see room for improvement in our personal lives. Thus the ubiquitous “new years resolutions”, great intentions that soon are lost as we pick up where we left off in 2024.

Perhaps the proven words of the book of Proverbs might encourage us:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
(Prov. 3:5,6).

Ultimately our lives are in the Lord’s hands. We may have short term resolutions but He has long term plans for us. He is omniscient, provident, and sovereign. Better to put our trust in his lordship rather than our good intentions.

May your 2025 be blessed.

December 11, 2024

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

Christmas for millions around the globe is the highlight of the year. “Peace on earth, goodwill to men” springs from the intuitive knowledge of God that we all possess. There is an upward call in our souls. This may be the impetus throughout the ages to build churches with a steeple causing us to look above and reach for the heavens.

Speaking of steeples, the sight of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, rising like a phoenix from the ashes after a 5 year restoration, its beauty, sanctity, and steeple rebuilt, amazed us all.

In so many ways it symbolizes hope. Our war weary world needs to know that new life can rise from total destruction. The shattered homes, villages, and cities that have dominated our screens for the past three years, whether Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, or most recently Syria, will not dominate forever. Our war weary world needs to know that new life can rise from total destruction. Surely God hears as our wrecked world says enough is enough—help us O God. Lord have mercy.

The sages of Israel in centuries of biblical interpretation tell us that the greatest power in the world is “ the power of return”- that is, the transformative impact of repentance, turning away from sin and turning one’s heart back to God. When a nation sets its face toward Heaven it thinks and acts peacefully. Indeed it makes peace. And as Jesus said,”Blessed are the peacemakers…”.

Now is the time for all men and women of faith to turn away from our sins of selfishness and entitlement and renew our covenant to love the Lord and neighbour with “all our heart, soul, mind, and strength”. Love still heals whether it be for one or a multitude. Let love be the steeple of our souls.

November 27, 2024

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

There’s a lot to be said in terms of this era of the internet in which we live. Information, communication, and interaction globally is literally at our fingertips, our computers and smartphones connecting us instantly to the world. Indeed no generation in history has been so connected.

The downside, of course, is that we’re also connected with a world in chaos with war, famine, and sorrow on sorrow. Little wonder we sometimes lie awake at night praying for peace.

I often turn to the Psalms where King David, who authored many of them, reached out to the Lord for comfort. Psalm 91 is one of my favorites:

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’
Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with his feathers and under his wings you shall take refuge; his truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.”

These words are comfort in difficult days no?

October 16, 2024

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

Kathy and I had no idea when we founded WOW 25 years ago that one day we’d be engaged with two of the five most needy counties in Sub Saharan Africa. Zambia and Malawi are in crisis with severe electricity and food shortages.

WOW has a significant footprint in both countries where we’re involved in the care of thousands of widows, orphans, and others at risk of starvation and/ or death from disease and opportunistic infections. With 2-3 hours of electricity a day, and sometimes none for a couple of days at a time Zambia especially is suffering. Malawi at least has hydro. Added to that is the doubling of food costs because of drought and crop failure. There is sorrow on every hand. Indeed the WHO says that 21 million children are potential victims of famine. The UN says, “Southern Africa is enduring its worst hunger crisis in decades due to El Niño.”

Rather than “curse the darkness” WOW continues to faithfully “light a candle”. It is daunting for sure but the faithfulness of compassionate donors is stemming the tide of sorrow for thousands.

We are so grateful for these friends who see their support as “the hands and feet of Jesus”. Together we’re ministering hope in a very dark place.

October 2, 2024

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

My wife Kathy and I recently participated in a Zoom call with our ministry partners in South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, and India. They gave us and each other updates on their work with orphans, widows, and other vulnerable people in distress. They are true champions, soldiering on faithfully in the midst of limitless adversity.

Facing drought, disease, violence and endemic food insecurity our WOW partners continue to reach out to “the least of these” (to use Jesus’ term) with home based (and in India, street based) care. They are like ministering angels.

They could yield to discouragement and despair but their core values of righteousness, justice, and servanthood provide a “North Star” in their compassionate pursuit of bringing hope to the hopeless. They descend into the pit of their neighbours’ sorrow and bring the light of God’s love to broken souls.

Indeed the words of Psalm 103 come to mind where David declared:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord…
Who redeems your life
from the pit
Who crowns you with
steadfast love and
mercy….”

The “pit” may threaten to consume but the “steadfast love” of the Lord rescues and redeems. Our WOW champions believe and practise this. In a dark world they are letting their light shine.

September 4, 2024

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

I don’t know about you but I’m more than a little tired with the glut of conspiracy theories out there. Whether about vaccines, politics, environment, or culture wars, a kind of social media swampland is incubating an ecosystem of fear. Indeed, it’s fear that fuels conspiracies. When someone with almost evangelical fervour tries to convince me of a current conspiracy I ask, “So what are you afraid of?”

When I was a teenager my dad once said to me, “Fear God and nothing else”, and then reminded me that “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom”.

I was rereading the book of Isaiah recently and came across something I had highlighted in past readings, “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what it fears, or be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall regard as holy; let him be your fear, and let him be your dread” (Is. 8:12,13).

For God there are no surprises because He is omniscient. There is nothing outside of His control because He is sovereign. He can and does handle all eventualities because He is provident. He can be trusted.

Fear Him. Fear nothing else. Let your sleep be sweet.

August 21, 2024

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

St.Paul, who wrote several letters to churches he planted and to young leaders he appointed to pastor them, had two key messages that have stood the test of time. The foremost of the two was his gospel (in four points):

  1. Christ died
  2. Christ was buried
  3. Christ rose from the dead
  4. He appeared to many witnesses.

His 15th chapter of the first letter of Corinthians stresses the resurrection, “if Christ be not risen our faith is in vain”. Indeed, Christian faith is rooted in history. The tomb is empty.

The second was his quotation from the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk 2:4, “the just shall live by faith”. Paul would have read this in the Hebrew as, “the just (or righteous) shall live by his faithfulness”. This is a powerful spiritual principle as well as a profound life lesson.

The word faithful in Hebrew is emunah. Like most Hebrew nouns it has an accompanying visual image which, in this case, denotes a strong male adult holding a helpless infant. He will not let the little one fall. So when the Bible refers to God as faithful that imagery provides hope and security.

And when “faithful” is applied to us it means we continually “show up for work” and stick to it regardless of how tired, bored, or discouraged we may be that day.

Faithfulness is the key building block for a life of meaning. It’s the one thing the Lord cannot resist. All He can do with faithfulness is bless it.

July 24, 2024

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

“God or luck”, as former president Donald Trump put it, saved him from an assassin’s bullet in Pennsylvania on July 13th. God or luck.

Not being an American nor a registered voter for either right or left-leaning parties, I’m not interested in political bias. What I am interested in is the “God or luck” polarity that is so reflective of our culture. At the risk of sounding like a theologian, I must say there’s a huge gap between God and luck.

God is a person, luck is not. God is holy, omniscient, omnipresent, sovereign and provident. He is creator of all that is. He is just and, most vital of all, loving.

Luck, of course, has none of those attributes. Indeed, luck at best is random and totally untrustworthy. One can only credit luck after the fact whereas God is “the same yesterday, today, and forever”.

The founders of America were very wise when they built the new nation on the foundational statement, ”In God we trust”. Building a nation or a life on luck is like building a house on sand.

 

 

July 10, 2024

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

According to a recent report, our world appears to be drowning in debt to the tune of 90 trillion(!) dollars. This amounts to 90% of the world economy. Economists are warning us that the day of reckoning is near. A global financial collapse will impact us all.

There have always been doom and gloom reports, however. The “Henny Pennys” are always raising the alarm with their bleak theories. But, this seems to be different. Actual dollars eclipse the “possibilities” and even “probabilities” of theoretical economic science. At some point soon our world will have to “pay the piper”.

If and when that day comes, I think we have something to learn from our African orphans and widows who are living every day in abject poverty. Whenever we’re with them in Zambia, Malawi, and South Africa, we find them grateful and rejoicing in their humble state. They live from day to day with gratitude to the Lord for his presence and provision. WOW, of course, is a player in that provision, but we see ourselves as small participants in the hands and feet of Jesus reaching out to “the least of these”.

We often wonder who is blessing whom. We visit them to lift their spirits but find that it is they who are lifting ours. Maybe they know something that comes only by total dependence on the Lord. It’s the blessing of thankfulness for “daily bread”, rather like a child who is cared for by its parents. Indeed it’s called “child-likeness”.

It may very well be that our world will experience economic collapse in our lifetime. If it does, we may find a silver lining in that dark cloud: the blessing of rediscovering childish dependence. And no one knows joy like a child.