Christians are twice-born individuals, and life is dear to us. We celebrate our lives as gifts from God, the author and giver of life. We celebrate new life, born anew as believers in Jesus Christ, through the work of the Holy Spirit. Our hearts beat in tune with the living God.

Easter and spring coincide in our climate and culture. We are glad to look out on these post-Easter mornings and see green grass and yellow daffodils, and are looking at new life with joy: budding bushes, singing songbirds, and popping tulips.

On our calendars, May brings Mother's Day, which affords us an opportunity to be intentional about expressing our gratitude for the irreplaceable role each of our mothers has had in our lives. That gratitude may be expressed to our mothers in person, if still living; or otherwise in their memory if they have gone ahead of us from this life to the next. In either case, God is honoured when we honour our father and mother.

May is also the month in which we are reminded of our calling to stand up for the right to life, and to find our voice for the voiceless - the unborn children, developing in the wombs of mothers, who sometimes need special care and protection. To our shame as a nation, Canada is one of very few countries with no law clearly protecting the unborn child.

Life is not a convenience; it is a sacred trust.

It may be popular during election campaigns to avoid contentious or divisive discussions, but Christians should be prepared to speak up for those who are silent but whose cries do not and will not go unheard by the God who has numbered the very hairs of our heads and who knits each human life together in the womb of each mother.

Gracious, respectful, but clear and firm support for the protection of the life of each human being from conception to natural death needs to be communicated to those who are elected to public office, especially at the national level. Loving and practical support for those facing challenging pregnancies and those who have the care of children is a most appropriate investment of time, talent, and treasure for twice-born Christian believers who love life. Encouragement and support for those who in illness and amid advanced years find the burdens of life weighing upon its joys is also part of our calling to celebrate and advance the gift of life.

May God in this spring-time season of renewal be pleased to aid us in reaffirming our commitment to life, as His gift, and according to His design.

In Christ, and glad to be alive, and alive in Jesus,

Your pastor,
James T. Hurd