Category Archives: Minister’s Minute

Recently, I was reminded of a summer spent in Inglis, Manitoba, “The Barley Capital of the World,” as I had been told. While there I was given an eye opening opportunity. I was able to go and spend time on the tractor in the tilling and seeding process. Normally, I only see the finished product that we purchase at our local grocer, but to see the amount of time and effort that goes into making sure the soil is right and how hard the farmers work to get that good soil to grow crops is amazing. Rocks, thorns, and weeds have to be removed, and the soil has to be loosened so that the seeds can be planted and grown, and every year this same process is repeated.

Now I am no expert in farming, and I only speak about what I have seen and have been told, but what I do know is that the Bible often uses farming to show God’s salvation. One of the most notable is from Matthew 13, the Parable of the Sower and the Seed. In this parable it talks about different types of soil, and what happens when the seed is sown upon the path, the rocky soil, the thorny soil, and the good soil. The parable goes on to explain what it all means, but what I always found so very odd was the sower. I always thought it odd, because the sower was seemingly spreading the seed recklessly and without thought. It as if he did not care where it was going. Then I had a light bulb moment! If the seed is the gift of Salvation, the sower is Jesus Christ, and we are the soil, then what Jesus is doing is making salvation accessible to all soil types, to everyone. What an amazing thing God has done, He doesn’t just offer His salvation for the good, but to every person, including a sinner like me!

Pastor Steven Naylor

Published in Delta Optimist
Photo courtesy of FreeFoto.com

This Sunday, Father’s Day, is an important day in the lives of many. Everyone, like it or not, has a father. Some may have fond memories of their fathers, some may not. Some memories are distant and some are of step, foster or even grandfather father figures.

My biological father was killed in a motorcycle accident when I was a year old, and although I have no memory of him, I have stories of him throughout the years. My mother later married my stepfather and it is my stepfather whom we both call Dad.

Now I would love to say my step-dad was simply the most perfect man I have ever known, and that he was the perfect dad. I would like to say that, but the truth is my step-dad was far from perfect.

Despite his mistakes, there was never a doubt of how much he cared for my older brother and me, and when my two younger siblings came along, never once did he treat us as second-class children.

Perfect or not, my dad showed me I was his son, and as a son I am reminded of his love. As a pastor and believer in Jesus Christ, I am reminded of God the Father’s love as well. The difference is, God’s love is perfect.

He took a horrible and wretched sinner like myself and adopted me into his family. He washed my filthy sin in baptism, He clothed me in His righteousness and He forgives me when I, like a teenager, yell, back talk and defy Him. At times, He scolds me like a parent. No matter what past I may have had, he sees me as 100 per cent His.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad.

Pastor Steven Naylor

Published in Delta Optomist