Needles – creative or destructive?

I love to do needlework – sewing, cross-stitching, needlepoint,  knitting – they all are active in my pass time lists.  With a small needle pictures can be brought to life, gifts can be made.  The needle brings things together and permanently joins things that were once very separate entities, and their coming together brings the one creating and the one receiving joy.  That’s my favourite part of crafting, is the giving of the final product, and to watch the joy it brings to the recipient.  I love that I am able to pray over each stitch of a gift, and know that a small part of me will be in the home I have intended it for. 

But needles have another side – a destructive side.  It punches holes into the receiving material, ones that are hard to close back up.  If the receiver of a needle is a body part – it’s quite painful too…trust me, I have much experience with this. 

Have you ever thought how you use words is your personal needle?  How we speak to those in our lives can either create something beautiful, or punch holes that are difficult to close?  I know I have been the deliverer of both kinds of words, and don’t like what I see when I have sent out the latter.  I have also been the receiver, and I would much rather be hearing the uplifting words. 

 Our children, whether our own or those in our community, are sensitive to both kinds of words as well.  Watch how tall a child stands when they are being encouraged about something they have done well, or are able to share their thoughts on a topic – and not be told they don’t understand.  See how that same child shrinks when they are “put in their place”.

 2 Timothy 3:16 teaches that ,  “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” NIV

During our Children’s Ministry time, we have been encouraging the kids to engage with the Scripture focus that day.  It is the teaching team’s prayer that they will be able to see that God’s Word is alive, and applies to their lives just as much as it applied to the first listeners.   We have imagined what Mary must have been thinking when Gabriel showed up in her house, we have talked about God’s promises being true and trustworthy. We have watched as David wrote is inner-most feelings through the Psalms.   This coming quarter we are following Jesus life, as he calls his disciples and begins his ministry.  We will make jars of clay, expecting miracles in our own lives, we will see how God can provide bounteously – just as He fed 5000 with a couple fish and a few loaves.  And we will learn what it means to have an Easter Faith, all year round.

It is a privilege to watch these young minds have “light bulb moments”, as they engage with the passage of the day.

 Wanting to invite the community to share in our engaging moments, we are excited to be planning an all ages event in March.  “How the West World Was Won” will be an afternoon where families can preview our upcoming KAC Theme (Saddle Ridge Ranch ), and our church family can have an environment that is easy to invite their friends and family members to.  We will be meeting on March 27, between 2 and 3 in the afternoon.  There will a time of music, teaching (kids and adults on their own), and fellowship.  We will be providing much more information in the coming weeks, but be sure to mark your calendar.

The Cradle Calls Each of Us

I have a book by the singer Michael Card, called “Come to the Cradle”.  It was written to accompany his recording of the same name.  One of my favourite  quotes is contained on the first page:

                ”The cradle call us to come away from the busyness of the world – to rediscover the holy, unhurried life of a child, and to discover that as we pour ourselves into the lives of our little ones, life overflows in return.  For the cry of a baby in the middle of the night is not simply a summons to change a diaper – it contains within it more than our ears can hear.  It is a call to leave the cozy self-interest of our warm beds; to come, saying no to a thousand voices that tell us to remain where we are comfortable.  It is a call to come away from ourselves.  No one who has ever heeded this call will tell you it was in vain”

Michael’s words were meant to describe the experience of being a parent…but they ring so true for us all, and they come to mind each year as I get ready to celebrate Jesus birth.  The night God broke into history to show us how much He loves us, He didn’t arrive as the scholars had all thought.  There was no white stallion – it was a lowly donkey, being ridden by a young, unwed mother and her fiance.  There were no servants, or handmaids to assist, just a safe place where the animals were kept.  No one to hand out birth announcements,  but there were angels – an army of angels the Scriptures tell us – to invite all of God’s creation, to come to the cradle.

I don’t think that the song, as lovely as it is, Silent Night quite gets the picture of the stable right.  Jesus was born fully human, be assured that he was a “real” baby…that means crying.  I imagine that as one who help create the vastness of the stars, he had a full cry, and I’m sure he used it.  But, just as Mary will have had to respond to her Son’s call – so must we.

Jesus, still today, ask us to leave our cozy self-interest, and to say no to the thousand voices telling us not to go.  He does call us away from ourselves, and calls us to be closer to Him.  When we answer that call – nothing stays the same.  We are able to see the world through His eyes, to care with His heart and to serve with His hands.   As you celebrate the Christmas, listen for the call from the cradle, and answer with “I’m right here”, and hear Him answer, “I’ve been waiting – just for you”.

May your Christmas be blessed.

A fresh blanket of snow kicks off Advent preparation

We had our first snow as I awoke the is morning,  the ground was blanketed with a beautiful and clean covering.  It was really quite beautiful.  But, under the mid-morning sun, it’s all disappeared.  Things are wet and muddy and our sump-pump is running non-stop.

 Christmas can be like this morning’s snow.  The closer it gets, the more we are willing to have the blanket of Christmas spirit cover us; our self-focusing, our impatience with life’s situations, and our need to be satisfied.  We turn our thoughts to the sharing of time, sharing our resources, and looking to take care of other’s needs first.  And after January turns on the calendar, we return to our regular life of everyday “muddiness”.

 We are now ½ way through the first week of Advent, that time when we recall the history of God’s people and reflect on how the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament were fulfilled. This gives us the  background for better viewing the present. Reflecting on the past track record of God, lets us begin to understand what it means to us now for the sake of what is to come, in our own future and that of our world. God broke into history just have a relationship with us, with you.

 We have been making Jesse Tree “kits” available to our families this year.  It a great creative and visual tool to travel through history and see our place in God’s Big Story…if you don’t have a direct connection to our Children’s Ministry, but would like to participate in this activity, please speak with me, and I’ll get you the patterns and devotional book.

If we, as a church family, can experience together, the Connection that God wants to have with us.  Then, by studying The Word together we find that we Grow in our understanding of our place in His story.  As that happens, we begin to Impact the world around us.

As the close of the year is coming ever nearer, I am reminded of how deeply blessed I am to serve among you.  May you meet anew, the God who stooped into history, just to meet you…and may the peace that Jesus brings fill you life – this Christmas and always.

If they trust you…they will come.

I am not one who often invites friends to events I am going to.  I did this past Wednesday, and I am so glad…

Last year, about this time, Breakfast Television had a men’s a cappella group on, promoting their new album.  That group was Straight No Chaser.  Their sound is tight, yet fun, and they love to sing.  They formed as a group in their university days, and last year Atlantic Records reunited them, and signed them.  The first venture was  to create an album around a piece that went viral on youtube- the 12 Days of Christmas (check it out!).   They recently released their second Christmas album, and while I was downloading it, I discovered they were performing in Toronto Wednesday night.  I was so excited that I had to share the news of the concert.

My beloved had an evening of meeting scheduled, and not wanting to go alone – but really wanting to go, I invited some dear friends to go with me.  None of those I invited were familiar with them.  But, because we have a relationship, and they trust me to not take them somewhere they would be uncomfortable…they joined me.

The result was 3 very enthusiastic new fans. (To the point that one of my friends joined their facebook group before I did!!).  Great, you say, so you went to a concert, and your friends were happy they went with you – what’s that to do with a blog about “thinking orange”?

Currently, at the church I work at, we are in the midst of a series called “Go Fish”, (so is the church where Jeff is serving, as well as 2 other friends in the churches they serve). It’s helping us to see the importance of “fishing” for others to be followers of Jesus, and how God equips us to be able to do that. We are called to share the Good News of the Gospel.   Many people are afraid, or maybe better, extemely shy of sharing their faith with friend and family.  Even parents can have a difficult time talking about matters that are faith-focused.

Often we feel that we because we aren’t Biblical scholars, there is no way we can give adequate answers to those who have questions about the validity of the tenets of our faith.  The thought of Evangelism conjures up images of tearry-eyed, slick haired men making apologies for indiscretions, or God directing that one’s life hinges on multi-million dollar donations.  We don’t want our friends to turn away from “Bible thumping”, or shirk from a “turn or burn” presentation of how much God loves us.

Don’t get me wrong, I know that I have friends and family that I won’t get to spend eternity with, because they refuse to acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.  I know they refuse, because I’ve tried to have that converation with them.  I can’t help but wonder though – how often does my desire to have my whole family believe in who Jesus is, look like the enthusiasm Ihad when I  introduced my friends to a new musical group?

Good News is just that, it’s news that’s just too important or exciting to keep to ourselves.  If we do, how selfish is that?  As Christians, we serve a Risen Lord, who desperately seeks to be in relationship with us.  So much so, that He sent His only Son to make that relationship possible.  Sharing that Good News doesn’t need to be complicated- indeed it needs to not be complicated – simply our story of what God is doing in our lives.  People cannot deny your story, and it’s the very unique tool God has given you to share His love.  

Sharing Jesus with someone you care about so that it can change their life…will directly impact this and the next generation.  And if we all lived like we believed it’s the revolution the world needs – what a celebration that would be.  Because, to quote Reggie Joiner, ” a hundred years from now the only thing that will matter is someone’s relationship with God.”

A legacy well left…

A friend and former colleague of my stood face to face with her Lord last night.  She has valiantly been fighting cancer for as long as I’ve had the priviledge to know her.

Almost 2 years ago, she went through some pretty radical surgery that altered her eating habits forever.  She went through all the necessary treatments, and eventually having come through that, her hair grew back, and she was back to work.  Not so long ago, the cancer came back, yet she never wavered in her determination to fight.

Another thing that never wavered was her faith.  She repeatedly assured those around her that God is in control, and that He would be glorified through this.  Connie’s family will have many great memories of her, of their life together, and today begins the journey of adjusting to life without her smile or hugs.  Connie was an extremely proud grandma too.  He face beamed when she spoke of her grandson, and she loved to love on him.

One of the things that stands out to me, is the legacy that she leaves.  Connie lived the adage that “faith is caught – not taught”.  Her relationship with Jesus was an integral part of her everyday life, and her family saw that.  Jesus wasn’t someone who only got talked about on Sundays.  She walked with her Saviour 23/7, and as a result, the most precious thing she leaves her family is that example of a vibrant, everyday faith.

What will you be leaving your family?  Will it be homes, cars, jewels, stocks?  All of those will pass, but walking a faith that points people to Jesus is an eternal gift.  Remember, “In 100 years from now, the only thing that will matter is someone’s relationship with God”. 

We’ll miss you Connie…Welcome Home.

Fearless – new from Max Lucado

My very favourite books by Max Lucado are the ones where he takes a very specific passage of scripture and breaks it down passage by passage.  I must admit, I was hoping he was carrying on with that pattern.  Not the case, but, I was not disappointed.

The new book – releasing today – is “Fearless”.  It’s a sad reality in America (and here, north of the border) that many people are living in fear.  Fear of the unknown, of having to live with not enough resources, of not knowing how to care for loved ones who are sick, of the evil that is throughout our society…

Each chapter names the very things that cause us to live in fear, and then, as only Max does, he presents personal examples of how he faces the very same thing.  His stories are touching, some times funny, sometimes heart wreching, but always making him ‘real’ to each of us.  Then, he beautifully brings the Truth of scripture into the equation.  Using examples of God’s own penmen for His Word, among them being Jeremiah and Paul, we see that even those chosen to bring us the very Breath of God, faced fears.

Through their words, and examples, we see how to face those fears – and walk more closely to the One who calmed the sea, and carried the culmination of all that we fear (say “Sin”) to the cross.  I love the way he summarizes this at the end of chapter 7 - ” He’s the commander of every storm.  Are you scared in yours?  Then stare at him.  This may be your first flight, but it’s certainly not his.  Your pilot has a call sign too:  I Am Here.”

Fearless will not disappoint.   If you or someone you care about is facing great fear - this is the book for them.

She Still Calls Me Daddy – Robert Wogelmuth

Being the youngest daughter, I understand the bond between father and daughter.  I well remember the day that my mom reminded me that “your dad still needs to know you need him”.    I was taken right away with the book, as Robert talks about the feelings that he had as he walked his daughters down the aisle.

Using the running metaphor of remodelling a house – Robert candidly shares his emotional process in “letting go” of his daughter, as he faces the reality that as she married, she became part of a new team. He needs to ”renovate” his expectations of being a dad, a dad with a daughter who is now a wife.    Seeking counsel from a Rabbi friend, he is reminded of Jethro needing to know that Moses would take care of his daughter.  A perspective we don’t often think of, it’s usually Moses in the story – not the father-in-law.

I found the book insightful.  To some of the things that changed quietly with my father after my marriage.  He also shares the importance of recognizing that as a married couple, it’s an adjustment that must be successfully made – returning to be a couple again, outside the role of active parents.

While I wasn’t the target audience for this book, I appreciate the opportunity to understand some of the emotional stuff my dad went through after my wedding.  I would highly recommend it as a wedding gift for the Father’s of the Bride.

What’s He Really Thinking

Having always been struck by the seeming lack of understanding between the sexes, I’m always up for a good book that helps to give insight to this quandry.
I recently finished “What is He Really Thinking”, by Paula Rinehart, published by Thomas Nelson.

I was taken right away. She begins the book, not in an overly technical pschological way, but by telling women just how wonderful the designed differences are.   By showing the difference in the basic generalites in characteristics of men, she sets the stage to point out how these different qualities impact the women in thier lives.

I was impressed by the fact that right off, she points out the fact that men may have parts of a few or many of these generalities, something other “insight” books have failed to do.  No one person fits into any one “category”, and we must be careful not to pigeon hole. 

Without being overly technical, the author gives us a glimse into what make our men tick…how they feel, process and react to life situations.  She then offers ways for us to respond to the men we love.  Perhaps the one I resonate the stongest with is the focus on Respect.  Aretha Franklin craved it so much she sang a song about it – and in watching many friends and their relationships, it’s something that is greatly lacking.

I highly recommend this book for women who are struggling to get into the heads of the men in their lives, as an insight for young women who are just beginning to see the influence that the other sex will have in their life…it would be a great book for a small group discussion as well.

Charming addition to my children’s story collection

I was excited to open the package holding the newest book to my children’s storybooks.  The I Believe Bunny is the first in a series by Tish Rabe and charmingly illustrated  by Frank Endersby.

This charming book is written in easy flowing poetry – which will quickly engage even the youngest of readers.  It’s focal Bible point is from Philippians 4:13, I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  Such a great verse for all of us to remember, and what a gift to introduce it early to little ones.

Bunny’s not having a very good day…it’s raining and Bunny has had enough.  He turns down an invitation to play with his friends, because he’s waiting for the rain to stop.  But, when mouse gets caught in the river, Bunny knows just what to do…and although he’s not sure he has the strength to save her, so he stops and prays.

Just then – God sends the solution.  A very important lesson and a model for our children.  If we pray before facing any situation, God will hear, and we will be ready to face it.

I’m truly looking forward to what comes next in this series – it is definitely destined for our local Church library.

Feed My lambs

During the week of July 6, St. Giles Kingsway hosted 57 munchkins for our annual Kingsway Adventure Camp.  It was a blast, and the church building was alive with laughter, shreiks of fun, and tons of singing and activity.

Our week focused on the life of Peter.  During the Bible times, each class looked at the passage in John 21: 15-19, where the Risen Christ has a conversation with Peter.  Remember, Peter (who’s given name was Simon and Jesus renamed “The Rock”), denied Jesus 3 time during His trial – just as Jesus told him he would.

Peter’s response was that could never happen.  He could never deny who Jesus is.  Yet, during Jesus’ trial – Peter did just that, denied that he was a friend of Jesus 3 times.  And as soon as the third denial happened, Peter heard the rooster crow, just as Jesus said it would.  Peter, we are told in scripture, wept bitterly when he realized he had done exactly what Peter vowed wouldn’t happen.

After the resurrection, the angel at the empty grave, told the women to go tell the disciples and Peter.  Not just “tell the disciples”, but specifically added “and Peter”.  The risen Lord needed him to know that he was still part of the circle.  He was still an important part of Jesus team.

Then, in a very personal conversation, the risen Christ asks Peter if he loves Him.  Each time Peter responds, yes, you know I do.  This question is posed 3 times – exactly the number of times Peter denied Him.  I love that, just as frequently as we mess up, Jesus reminds us that he love us, and asks us to do the same.  With each of Peter’s answers, Jesus gives and instruction.  At first, it seems the same, but is it really?  Jesus tells Peter to “feed my sheep”, “feed my lambs” and “feed my sheep”.

Okay – so we, you and I are Jesus sheep, his flock, those he came to take care of.  Peter was being told to take care of the entire flock – the sheep (the adult) and the lambs (the youngest of the flock).  See taking care of just one side, or the other of the flock, is contrary to Jesus instructions.  We can’t just focus on the adults, and expect the children to be okay.  On the flipside, if we pour everything into the children, the adults are properly cared for.  It has to be the total package.  We learn from each other, we need each other.  I learn true, uninhibited faith from children, and I learn total unwavering faith from those who have lived more life than I.

That’s my prayer for the church today, that we will learn that we need every part of it.  That we will learn that each part of the flock has something unique to teach the other parts.  And through our learning, we can reach beyond ourselves and care for flocks in other parts of the fold.