Skip to main content

Tag: peace

Aug 20, 2025

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

I visited recently with a friend who’s recovering from open heart surgery. He received 5(!) bypasses. This procedure was called “beating heart surgery” which means the surgeons operated while the heart continued to beat. Truly amazing.

As we talked, our conversation turned to mutual friends who are going through health crises: battles with Parkinson’s, dementia, kidney failure, diabetes, arthritis, hearing loss etc, etc. We agreed that we’re all vulnerable regardless of age and that we are, indeed, “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). But we also remarked on human resilience and the ability of the body to heal itself. After all, the surgeons wield the scalpel but the Lord provides the healing.

We also remembered the scripture saying, “the times of our lives are in His hands” (Psalm 31:15). And, “as your days so shall your strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:25). What a comfort to know that the hands of healing and the sustainer of life is our Heavenly Father.

Aug 6, 2025

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

I was talking with an old friend who is/was also a pastor. Both of us have been in the ministry for over 50 years. We were discussing the common themes we have dealt with in the lives of our congregants. We referred to issues like domestic conflicts, loss of employment, illness, encroaching death from disease, concern about sons and daughters, spiritual needs, etc, etc.

But underlying all these we agreed that for everyone, including ourselves, life brings burdens. Indeed, as the saying goes,” life happens”.

Sometimes life breaks us. I could give so many examples of the brokenness I’ve encountered in precious children of God, but suffice it to say we’re all, on occasion if not permanently, broken.

I always refer to Psalm 34 for comfort: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Ps.34:18). This is not an ideological nor even a religious truth. Rather, it is simply truth. The scriptures say that we “are born to trouble as the sparks fly upward”(Job 5:7) and that “God knoweth our frame that it is dust” (Psalm 103:14). We are fragile, small, and easily broken. Yet we have deep down an intuitive homing instinct for Heaven. We know God exists and is as near as a feeble upward call. Because He lives we have hope.

To quote Psalm 34 again,” The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry.”(v.15). There is genius in taking our burdens to the Lord and leaving them there, remembering the wisdom of the words, “In thee o Lord do I put my trust.”(Ps. 31:1).

January 22, 2025

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

As Los Angeles fires raze entire neighborhoods, the Middle East balances on a razor’s edge, Sudan’s millions face impending starvation, and America swears in a new/old president, we wonder what 2025 will bring. In the vortex of constant change we long for some sort of relief, a return to a semblance of equilibrium, a glimmer of hope for our troubled world.

As I often do I turn to the scriptures. There I find hope- “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea…Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:1,2,10).

Our hope, of course, is not in the tactical or strategic plans of governments, but in the Maker and Lord of the heavens and the earth. He has always been and will always be sovereignly in control. We can rest in Him.

I think of the song we used to sing in church when I was a boy- “In thee O Lord do I put my trust…”. If ever we needed to live those lyrics, it is today. Remarkably, as we “trust in the Lord and don’t despair” (another old lyric) our spirits are raised. Our world is a work in progress and the Architect of history is faithfully fashioning His design.

Sleep well tonight.

December 25, 2024

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

I’m writing today (Christmas Eve) in the beautiful Laurentian Mountains of Quebec. We’re at the home of one of our sons. It’s snowing with about a metre already guaranteeing a white Christmas. It’s an idyllic setting.

Our 12 grandchildren range in age from 24 to 8 and when we’re all together it’s raucous and fun with everyone speaking (loudly!) at once. And last night as we gathered the laughter and noise was at its peak.

What was different about this gathering, however, was a moment or two when the kids grew quiet and thoughtful as they discussed the state of our/THEIR world. Theirs is a generation like no other in history in their immediate access to war, famine, floods, fire, earthquake and massive human misery via the internet. They suffer both information and international crises overload. Indeed they feel overwhelmed.

So I was moved when one of the oldest at one point asked to lead us in prayer. He thanked the Lord from his heart for giving us his son to die for our sins and bring hope to us all. Then he prayed for peace.

How meaningful! “Peace on earth goodwill to men…” the angels sang over the slopes of Bethlehem at Jesus’ birth. If ever we needed to hear that song again it is now.