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Tag: JimCantelon

Feb 04, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

The book of Job is regarded by most commentators as the oldest book in the Bible. It’s a remarkable work dealing with the universal theme of suffering and evil. The troubles described bear a remarkable resemblance to much of what we face here in the 21st century let alone what humanity has dealt with over aeons. Perhaps one of the most quotable quotes comes from Eliphaz, one of Job’s three “comforters”: “Yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7).

Or to put it in other words, “Life happens”, and it’s not always a happy happening.

When we look at the last hundred years of our history it appears that those “sparks” are flying upwards in troubling volume. Wars and rumours of wars, whether two world wars or countless regional conflicts, have defined our troubles. We are as many put it “in a mess”.

Currently we are inundated with bad news. The Ukraine is still under bombardment from Russia, Sudan is embroiled in bloodshed and famine on a colossal scale, and Iran and the USA are on the edge of another regional war. Little wonder we are troubled and as Jeremiah put it, “sick at heart”.

We need to hear Jesus. He says, “Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy of heart and I will give you rest”. This is more than a bromide, it’s a powerful word of truth from the Son of God. Nothing takes an omniscient Lord by surprise. He is, as always, sovereign.

Our troubles are a mere blip in history. Our Heavenly Father sees the end from the beginning and his will ultimately will prevail. It’s time to revisit the timeless statement of faith, “ In God we trust”.

July 09, 2025

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

As I write there is an ongoing search for missing children and adults in the aftermath of the horrific floods in Texas. We’re all shocked and saddened by the loss of life, especially the little girls who were swept away from their idyllic summer camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River. It’s hard to comprehend how a river can rise 26 feet in only 45 minutes, from a meander to a torrent. It’s a grim reminder of the irresistible forces of nature that can suddenly overtake us.

At times like this there is the predictable call for “thoughts and prayers”. And rightly so. It’s an indication of the latent sense of our dependence on our Maker. I say latent because for many of us it is. We don’t call on God except when we’re in trouble.

Perhaps a better word would be “intuitive”. There’s an upward call in all of us because, in biblical terms, we’ve been made “in the image of God” and we have a homing instinct for heaven. In that sense we’re pilgrims with only a few moments to “strut and fret our hour upon the stage and then be heard no more”, as Shakespeare famously wrote.

This world is not our home.

So even as we pray for the bereaved Texan families our hearts look upward. Dear Lord have mercy.