Wednesday 28 September 2011

It depends on you

"I wish that we could find a way to look the other way,
be careful of the things we do and watch the things we say
and maybe then we'd get somewhere we've never been before."
Jim Cuddy ...in a song 'Already Gone'


I've been reading 'BONHOEFFER Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy' by Eric Metaxas. I haven't gotten too far in the book even tho I started it in April, I got sidetracked by an accident my Mom had and I just couldn't get back into it, until now. My interest was piqued after watching Fidler on The Roof. The Jews of that time, the Russian Revolution, were devastated by the rebels as well as the soldiers, they were called 'Christ haters'. Families were torn apart, scattered around the world looking for safety. The same thing happened to our Mennonite ancestors during these same days, though for slightly different reasons, devastated just the same. My sister has just finished reading a series of books relating the things that happened to the Mennonite people during that time, how their families were also separated, torn apart, murdered, scattered to other parts of the world. Our last few generations have not known this type of devastation, at least not with the Mennonites, other peoples in certain countries have definately been affected by torturous uprisings, horrible wars, murder, and have scattered to safe havens, safe countries... they have absolutely known devastation...still are.

Devastation, it's a hard word, it hurts absolutely, yet it can happen in simpler ways.

In the book I'm reading I came across this, "In the Bonhoeffer family one learnt to think before asking a question or making a remark. It was embarrassing to see their father raise his left eyebrow inquiringly. It was a relief when this was accompanied by a kindly smile, but it was absolutely devastating when his expression remained serious..."

Absolutely devastating. Have you ever felt absolutely devastated by someones words, or by their actions towards you or others? Have you ever absolutely devastated another?

Romans 12:9-18 speaks to this...

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves...bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another...if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone"

As far as it depends on you...be careful of the things you do and watch the things you say.




Friday 23 September 2011

Peace

I just had my pond re-designed.

For the four years that I've lived here, my 'water feature' has never worked properly, it could only be turned on for short times in a day and for the last two years it hasn't worked at all. The pump that propelled the waterfall often gave a power surge to the electrical box causing an overload and tripping several of the breakers, needless to say there would be a loss of power to many of my household appliances. On the times that it did work the waterfall was more like Niagra Falls, loud, fast and furious...which would inevitably lead to the said electrical failure! Hardly the 'peaceful' environment a backyard water feature should be producing. So, I just had my pond re-designed. It really is peaceful now, a trickling waterfall over an assortment of river rocks and pebbles, an oasis really. It's what I wanted, a beautiful sense of peace right in my own back yard.

Peace, it's what we all want. Peace from our everyday crazy, noisy, busy, stress full, over filled lives. Peace, we look for it, yearn for it, seek it...we need it. The book I am reading right now "Experiencing God's Peace" by Elizabeth George says this,

"There are many means by which we try to bring about the peace our souls long for. We purchase tranquil paintings meant to evoke a sense of peace. We buy music that can help us relax. In home gardens, shopping malls and in parks we build waterfalls, pools, ponds and fountains to summon up peace. We equate early mornings and evenings with peace...but our wonderful God has provided real peace for us..."

Even in our busy, everyday lives, through our troubles, because we will have troubles, we can find our peace in Him. As we look to Him, we will experience the peace we long for.

If you were to come to my house, we'd sit out by the pond, sip a cup of tea and talk about the book I'm reading...ahh, peace.

"The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you
and give you peace."
Numbers 6:24

Monday 19 September 2011

On the Other Hand

"It is because of our traditions that we keep our balance
and because of our traditions, every one of us knows
who he is and what God expects him to do."        
Reb Tevya

On sunday morning in sunday school class we talked about how Christians live within their culture, we will be talking about this for the next few weeks, it is going to be thought provoking. One of the thoughts was that we tend to rate ourselves as Christians by what we don't do rather than who we are. That seems to be an odd balance, we need to know who we are.

I watched Fiddler on the Roof Saturday night, Reb Tevya, the Papa is the main character. He knows who he is. He is always talking to God, he brings Him into the picture of his life with every thought, decision and event that happens to him. I love that. He tells God everything, he questions Him, he rejoices in Him and he shares His word with others, "as the Good Book says..." He accepts God's plan, for himself, for his family, weighing everything with his tradition in mind and within his changing culture. 'On one hand' he weighs the cons and 'On the other hand' he weighs the pros. His decisions were made this way, by balance.

At one point in the story, one of his daughters chooses to be married outside of their faith, after weighing the pros and cons Reb Tevya cries out "I cannot bend that far...I will break!" For just a moment he softens and says "on the other hand..." but, cries out "No! There is no other hand!"

Tradition, culture, faith, giving permission, giving blessings, loving God, loving others, acceptance. On one hand, there will always be those times when we cannot bend, when we should not bend.

But, on the other hand...

"Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will."
Romans 12:2




Wednesday 14 September 2011

Relentless

I was speaking with my niece a week or so ago and she said something to me that has stuck with me. In particular it was a word she used. She was relating to me the story of a character that she was portraying in an opera production in Banff this summer called 'Lillian Alling'. Her character, Lillian, was on an adventure and was being followed by a friend, she went on to say that this friend was always there to help her, to save her, he was relentless in being there, for her...

relentless. It was a beautiful picture with a powerful message.

Relentless.

I want a friend like that. Someone who cares about what happens to me, someone who wants to help me through every trouble that I find myself in, someone who will never give up on wanting to be there, for me.

Relentless.

God wants a friend like that. He wants us to be relentless in pursuing Him, no matter our circumstances. He wants us to need Him. He wants us to never give up on being there, with Him.

On Sunday morning we heard a beautiful message from Jean (who by the way is relentless in her search to learn more of God) she talked about the story of David fleeing into the desert, fleeing from Absalom his son. What a picture she painted, David barefoot and weeping, in the desert, his people trailing behind him, sharing his pain. I could see his tears and feel his suffering...

I have been there, barefoot and weeping in the desert, and my people have trailed along with me sharing my pain. But God, God has been relentless in being there, with me.

Relentless. A beautiful and powerful picture. God.

Tuesday 13 September 2011

And so it all begins

It's time to get started and I think everyone is so excited to get going!

September is such a great time of year! After having summertime to enjoy our running here and there with family, visiting with friends over cold drinks and good food, stretched out on lawn chairs reading great books , sleeping in or sleeping out, it is time to get back to schedules, organization and regular life!

Ahh regular life, I love it.

Regular life, when everyone's time is laid out for that scheduled something, perfect.

At ACC there is no exception, and we are set to go.

For the ladies we have 2 days to plug into

Ladies Time Out
Tuesdays from 9:30 - 11:30

Friendship, Bible study and Prayer for Women of all ages.
(child care provided free of charge for your children )
Starting Tuesday September 20th in the Church basement.
We are convinced that God has big plans for us and anticipate
good things as we dive into God's word together!
We'll be studying through Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby


Prime Time
Thursdays at 1:00

For Women in their prime, empty-nesters who are active in their lives
enjoying what God has laid out for them. Women who are looking to
enhance their relationships with God and each other.
Come and join us for good conversation, a good cup of coffee and a good book.

Starting Thursday September 15th at the Wired Monk near Whatcom road,
for our first meeting... good coffee and good conversation.

We'll be studying Experiencing God's Peace by Elizabeth George


This fall is going to be great! See you somewhere for a scheduled something...perfect!


Saturday 10 September 2011

Summer ends


Taking you for a walk down to the pasture where I live, to see the sheep...before summer ends




time for a little rest, then back to the bridge taking the path home.

Thanks for the visit. My next post will be to let you know what is happening here for the ladies at ACC... take a peek and then join us if you can. We'd love to have you.

"May the Lord direct your heart into God's Love and Christ's perseverance."
2 Thessalonians 2:16


Wednesday 7 September 2011

Outstanding

And so it all begins...

Two of my grandsons started school this week, Ivan in Kindergarten and Kenzie in Pre K. Their mothers have been worried because the one has been a little shy and unsure, although he proved to be very good and very brave! He didn't look around to see where mommy was standing, he had friends to help him, they knew what to do and where to go.
Yes, Ivan was outstanding!

The other has been known to bolt looking for something else to do.

When I was out watching one of Kenzie's soccer games, I asked his coach if there were others like him, she replied, "we're hoping there's just one." In the end I was afraid to watch, I went to catch Gracie's game instead...safer I thought.

Last year when the up and coming Pre-K's were to go for a practice run at taking in the experience of going to school, Kenzie decided his experience would be outstanding. On the bus Riley had given him a few instructions. I'm pretty sure he listened, because he's a good listener, the trouble is he doesn't always apply what he hears. When the bus stopped at the school, all the children got off, yes, even Kenzie, only he didn't go to the school. He made a run out to left field, the big boys were out there, and he was going with them. Kindergarten was out, he was out standing with the big boys.

When they finally did get him to the classroom, I'm pretty sure he only made one more attempt at running, I'm not sure where they found him.

So far, this year, he hasn't made a run for it...but then he's just finished the first day...well, the bus hasn't brought him home yet. We hope he's still on it.

Saturday 3 September 2011

Because I

"I know His voice...but He knows me. He knows my downside and even the darker bits I'd never divulge, in person or in print. He inscribes my name on the palm of His hand, saves my tears in a bottle and rightly numbers the hairs on my head...God answered my 'why me?' with His profoundly simple 'Because I' ...and that has to be enough."

I wish I could put words on paper that come out like that. The Beautiful Ache by Leigh McLeroy, she writes words that are on the tip of my tongue.

"Who doesn't hope to hear a word from heaven? Who doesn't wish that a knowing voice would whisper truth or comfort or direction or encouragement when it is needed most. We long to hear from God. We want to know He's with us. We pine for a sign or a sound or some well placed punctuation that says He's nearer than we can tell. That He sees. He Knows. But how do you learn to listen to the wind?"

1 Kings 19:11-13 tells the story of the wind.

Where is God?

Be still.

He is in a gentle whisper.

A still small voice.

Go out and stand in His presence.

And then when you ask Him, 'Why me?' you will hear His profound 'Because I'

...and it will be enough.