Silent - Calm - Redeeming Grace

I do love Christmas music. I have been known to listen to it at seemingly inappropriate times of the year – like pre December 1^st!

It seemed necessary to say that in order to say this: some of it I really don’t get.

It’s not even necessarily an entire song. It may be just a line or two. In this case, it is a favourite song … a treasured song – but when I think about the birth of a baby I just wonder…

“Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright.”

Really? With what we know and what we suppose from the record in scripture…really?

Hear me out. The Bible tells us that Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem because they had to be. For a census. For taxation. And lots of others were there too, for the same reason. Lots of others. So many, in fact, that there was no room in the inn.

So – let’s put more people in a town than that town can accommodate. Let’s put them there for a reason that will make most of them unhappy – even angry, and then consider, how silent, how calm do you think it actually could be? How silent are you when you know that your taxes are going up?

Let’s add to that mix the fact that it is not just about taxes but it is about taxes to a government that is oppressing them, occupying their land…and I wonder…

Silent night, holy night…all is calm…I doubt it.

And then I try to put myself in Mary’s…sandals…About to give birth and not only away from home and all that is familiar but also away from the comfort of her mother’s touch or the support of a sister or a friend…perhaps with only Joseph present…Did anyone come to help? As the pains of labour grew stronger, did anyone hear her cry?  Do silent and calm fit with any birth you have experienced?

And then, this isn’t just any child…this child…nothing will be the same after this child…

Would you be calm?

Silent night, Holy night. It paints a nice picture…it fits neatly on the mantle…but I wonder…

From the time that it was announced to Mary that his birth was coming and that she would be part of it…to Joseph’s dream… to the trek to Bethlehem… to the noise and uproar of that town… and even to the skies exploding with the angelic announcement to the shepherds…not much silence…not much calm.

Even looking forward – a life lived that disrupted everyone around him…especially a disruption to those who obeyed the simple command “follow me.”

So, how do we get to “silent night”?

How do we get to “all is calm”?

Further verses in this song proclaim “Christ the Saviour is born!” Not a saviour. The Saviour. My Saviour.

And then there is this: “dawn of redeeming grace.”

Ah, grace…redeeming grace…grace that silences all the noise and calms all the turmoil in my heart.

Silent night. Holy night. I am left with only wonder!

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’” (Luke 2:10, 11)

Ruth U.

Give My Heart

What can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.

If I were a wise man, I would do my part.

Yet what I can I give Him - give my heart.

Christmas is all about giving - every year we busy ourselves with finding that special gift for that special someone. Yet how much do we really consider what it means to give, and how we give to God?

I remember when I was six and I recited this poem in our school's Christmas pageant. I didn't feel the full weight of the words then only that I had to say them from memory. Yet because of that exercise, these words by Christina Rossetti have not only stayed with me, but have become a part of me. It's just something in the nature of being a child.

In the Bible, it instructs us to come to Jesus as little children (Matthew 19:14), and it's easy to understand why. Children are more trusting than adults, and they are also much more deeply impressed and shaped by their experiences.

In those first formative years, our hearts were open to the world. Life brought us to tears one minute and laughter the next, and we had a different view of giving. Children give hugs; children will give a picture they made; children will sing a song or tell a story as a gift. Jesus delights in these offerings from the heart - yet somewhere along the journey of life, our resources of time and talent become neglected in favour of money and things when we ponder what to give.

How poignant, then, that at Christmas we try to see the world through the eyes of a child once again - may we make an extra effort to give like one. And once Christmas is over, may we remember that Jesus longs us to have that same heart for Him every day of the year. He delights in a heart that's generous, impressionable, and sensitive to His voice. It will be the cheapest as well as the most expensive gift you will ever give.

Ruth-Ellen W.

Celebrate!

Did you know that Christmas celebrations were once illegal? I am not referring to the Soviet Union or Communist China. I mean here – in North America and in England. Any celebration, almost any recognition of the day, was forbidden.

It wasn’t that an evil godless government had taken over or that secular society reigned supreme. It was basically enforced by the church – the protestant church. Hmm…

In England, for a short time, it was suggested that the day could be recognized provided it was a day of fasting. Wouldn’t that be a change?!

Granted, this was a few centuries back, but still it is a little hard to imagine compared to where we are now.

So, this made me wonder…what part of my Christmas celebration would I miss most if it was no longer possible or even legal to enjoy it?

What makes Christmas Christmas?

I asked some friends what they would miss. What one event, one tradition that if they could not take part in it, would cause them to feel like they hadn’t really had Christmas.

I was told of informal talent shows put on by kids, of stories read together and music blaring.

I was told of traditions of tree decorating… one grandma with her grandsons (that’s a special grandma!) and of ornaments cherished as they invoke memories of families and friends and times past.

And food! Food shared. Meals shared. Homemade ice cream and brunch together and chocolate and wassail and ‘those butterscotch oh henry things that you make”…

And those who make do…or really, make new…because of location and distance and kids no longer at home.

Relationship. These answers really all come down to relationship.

Memories…family…traditions…all about relationships.

Relationship is the very essence of Christmas.

We celebrate…we are able to celebrate, because God longed to have relationship with us.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

A plan put in place long before the babe in the manger scene. A plan for relationship restored.

So if it all became illegal again… if there were no trees to decorate, no music to play and no special meals shared, there would still be Christmas…because the Son was still sent… the Son still came… and the relationship is still offered.

So if it becomes illegal again  to display any sign of the day…to display the manger scene in a public space… to say anything but “Happy Holidays” and to spell Christmas with an ‘X’…there will still be Christmas…because the Son was still sent… the Son still came …and relationship is still offered.

Celebrate that. Not as a right… not as a tradition…but as an absolute gift!

Have a Blessed, Blessed Christmas.

Ruth U.

B - R - E - A - T - H - E

(fictional . . . unless this hits too close to your home)

MONDAY. My feet hit the floor running. Shower. Hair. Make-up. Wake up kids. Unload the dishwasher . . . make lunches . . . sign forms and scrounge for field trip money. I pass the Tree (it’s been waiting five days to be dressed). We have to put it up tonight. I call Jon the second time. We gulp breakfast, then drive to school.

I fly into the office . . . another deadline! I eat lunch at my desk. My phone rings at 2. It’s the school . . . Tessa has a high fever . . . can you pick her up? Of course. I stuff papers in my bag and head out. O no, a train! I mumble and grumble . . . white knuckles grip the wheel. Hey guys, get it together and put in that overpass! I am really irritable.

Tessa is 14, but today she is 6. She wants her mommy, a cool cloth, arms to hold her, and Tylenol. I finally think of supper . . . I throw a Costco lasagna in the mike. Dave offers to clean up so I can get groceries. You’re an absolute dear, I tell him.

Tonight we have to put up the tree. Cookies for the Holly Tea is on my list, too. Dave takes Jon to soccer. I shop, unload, make lunches, sweep the floor, throw Jon’s soccer stuff in the washer, listen to his lines for the Christmas play. I start the cookies, then Tessa calls me again.

At 9, the kids are finally in their rooms . . . Tessa is asleep, fever down. I take out my work. My head is spinning, my shoulders aching. Dave asks me a simple question and I snap at him. He backs off. I feel terrible, and I keep on working. At 11, I look at the boxes of decorations on the floor. And what about the cookies? I’m dead tired! It’s too much! I want to cry!

*To the stressed-out reader: find 5 minutes of quiet, uninterrupted time and try this:

B-R-E-A-T-H-E.

Take 3 s-l-o-w breaths . . . count 1 . . . take another slow breath, 2 . . . take another breath . . . 3

Slow it down even further 1. . . 2 . . . 3 . . . Let your whole body go limp like a rag doll.

Feel the tension leave your shoulders. 

Take another 3 breaths I . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . Notice the calmness in your body and mind.

Listen to the words, “You will keep her in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You.”

Peace?  . . .  Possible in this chaos?  . . . “Yes, He whispers.”

Take another slow breath . . . say, “Come, Prince of Peace. I breathe in the peace of Jesus.” Say it again. Feel the warm presence of His Spirit melting all tension and anxiety . . .  slowly, drink in His sweet peace . . .  

TUESDAY. Your feet hit the floor running. Write your own story . . . Remember  . . .

B-R-E-A-T-H-E  . . . and know His peace!

Ruth G.

Hospitality

We all need to eat. Whether you've just had a baby or you've just lost a loved one, the last thing on your mind is figuring out what’s for supper. Here’s where friends, family and faith communities come in. Providing a meal is a practical way to meet a need and show someone you care. As believers, our love for Jesus propels us to care.

During Jesus’ three years of ministry, He went about teaching spiritual truth but He did not ignore the physical needs of those around Him. Jesus didn't just preach lofty ideals with His head in the clouds. He was interested in what the people around Him were going through here on earth. 

In Mark 6, we find the account of the feeding of the 5000. Jesus had been preaching all day to a huge crowd. All day. In the desert. In the hot sun. Not in an air-conditioned, cushy auditorium with a coffee break and refreshments. He was tired so He crossed the lake to get away from the crowd. The crowd followed Jesus; they couldn't get enough of His life-giving words. Jesus could have pulled the diva card and had His entourage whisk Him away so He could find some lodging and food. But that doesn't seem to be Jesus’ way. His way is compassion. He saw that they were hot, tired and hungry. So He used a boy’s lunch to feed them miraculously. The people were amazed. Sometimes an act of compassion surpasses the impact of words alone. Our words must be accompanied with acts of compassion. 

There are so many situations people in our circle are going through where a meal could be beneficial:

• A new baby
• A death in the family
• A lengthy illness
• A family member is in the hospital
• Your child’s teacher is writing report cards
• A student is in the middle of exams
• Someone is taking care of aging parents
• Your Youth Pastor is out every night of the week with students and only has time to grab Subway
• A move
• And the list goes on . . .

I know what you’re thinking: “I’m no Martha Stewart . . . I don’t even know where to start”. Don’t worry . . . keep things simple. The aim of hospitality isn't to show off but to show up. Trust me, the new mom with spit-up on her shirt and toys scattered all over the floor is not going to be judging you. Some of my favourite things to take to people are basic staples like: soup/buns, stew/biscuits, chili/garlic bread, all-in-one casseroles with a salad. If you really feel inadequate in the kitchen, pick up a rotisserie chicken or ready-made pizza. Costco has some great meals made in-store like chicken pot pie or alfredo penne. No condemnation here!

Tips:

1. If a family has children, keep things kid-friendly.
2. Check on dietary needs (ie. low-sugar for diabetics or low-salt for heart patients) and allergies (nuts, dairy, etc.).
3. Drop the meal and leave. Don’t hang around too long unless you can make yourself useful.
4. Use tin foil pans or inexpensive plastic containers so they don’t need to be returned to you.
5. Think outside the box. Drop off muffins for a quick-grab breakfast or easy lunchbox idea for kids.
6. When you’re cooking for your family, double the recipe and freeze the other half for an emergency meal for someone in need.

Here are a couple of great websites:

- Mennonite Girls Can Cook - http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca/

- Pioneer Woman - http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/

- Here’s a great online resource called Meal Train that coordinates a group of people to bring meals to someone. Willing participants are emailed and plug their names into a particular date and let others know what food they will be bringing so there aren't 12 lasagnas.  http://www.mealtrain.com/

           

I recently had a friend pass away and the person in charge of coordinating meals for the husband and sons left behind put a cooler on the family’s front deck. Those who were bringing meals were to place their meal in the cooler by 5 PM and pick up their dirty dishes from the cooler the next day. What a great idea!

           

Go and be a blessing!

Brenda E.

Letting Go

It seems the moment labour begins . . . the process of letting go begins also.

As mothers, our job seems to always involve letting go. From the moment they arrive, literally and figuratively, the process of letting go begins.

Each passing year another momentous occasion celebrates their milestones . . . and we continue the process of letting go.

• Another step on their own
• Another block further of independence on their bike
• Another week of holidays staying with relatives by themselves
• Another class taken in order to babysit the neighbour’s kids
• Another day at the steering wheel learning to drive
• Another day of cleaning their room as they pack for college
• Another box taken into their first apartment
• Another embrace
• Another tear
• Another breathe of their fragrance

Psalms 127:3 says, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”

Sometimes we get caught up in the busyness and routines of life and our gifts become so familiar we forget how delightful our Treasures really are. And we forget to say thank you for The Treasures we treasure.

All of a sudden time has quickly flown by, the years have come and gone, and we are left staring into an empty bedroom no longer filled with childhood treasures . . . only childhood memories. We are left with failing memories and grasping the sand slipping through the hourglass of time.

No one understands the process of letting go of “their” Treasured Ones . . . except God. The ongoing process of letting go is just that . . . a process of letting go. Holding them with open hands . . . and releasing them to God . . . and entrusting them to Him.

Just as Mary was “treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them” (Luke 2:19), so must we. Treasuring each milestone, each momentous  occasion, each laughter, each teardrop, each moment . . . because our goal should be to raise up, release, and let go of our Treasures . . . so God can call them to great things.

Jo-Ann P.

Reaching versus Touching: Measuring Impact God's Way

If you're like me, you enjoy finding creative ways to make a difference in the world and in other people's lives - and ultimately for God's kingdom. Yet how often do we rely on our own strength and energy to accomplish what we think will make an impact? How is true impact really measured? There are so many great causes out there and so much work to be done - how do we choose? I often used to wish I could get feedback from the people I influence as to how I'm doing, or if my time would be better spent doing something else. This used to concern me, until I started to contemplate the difference between 'reaching' and 'touching' when it comes to the eternal impact of a person's life and ministry.

If you think about it, reaching involves striving and doing - and there's nothing wrong with that. The Bible instructs us to "not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" Galatians 6:9. Jesus was not idle during his three years of ministry here on Earth; he taught, healed, and blessed people from morning until evening, and even sometimes on the Sabbath. Yet consider what it means to touch. It doesn't involve planning or doing, just being. Being available; being honest; being courageous. Touching is all about surrendering to the will of God and allowing His Light to shine out through the cracks in our lives. It's no coincidence that the apostle Paul compared us to jars of clay in 2nd Corinthians 3:7 - "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."

As great as Jesus' miracles were, the single greatest thing He did was to allow Himself to be crucified. The touch of that single act of surrender had the greatest impact on our fallen world. So as reaching involves time and energy, touching requires sacrifice. Touching demands a depth of character and complete trust in God and His plan. Do you find yourself wishing your time, energy and finances were as limitless as your dreams? Young women often have so many big dreams of how they can save the world, and then life happens and they find themselves a housewife with a demanding toddler and a sick baby. It's easy to feel discouraged about your impact when you are measuring it based on your reach - so why not focus instead on your touch?

Think of it this way - even if you could give something to the whole world, it would never have as much impact as being the whole world to your child. Your sacrificial touch on those closest to you will always produce the greatest eternal rewards. So keep your focus on Jesus and on allowing the Holy Spirit to transform you into His image - you'll find it's the best way to spend your life!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Ruth-Ellen W.

Thirsty

I woke up too early one morning . . . just as the birds were beginning to sing - early. I do not like waking up early. I think it is for the birds . . . literally. I am quite content not to participate.

But, on this morning when I awoke, the chirping of the robins was not my only annoyance. I was thirsty, really thirsty . . . a ‘this is how I imagine it feels to be stranded in the desert’ thirsty.

So, I tossed and turned for a while. Then I tried being as still as possible, squeezing my eyes shut against the early morning sun. When those tried and true methods for thirst quenching fell short, I got spiritual and went with the ‘well, I’m awake anyway so I may as well pray’ technique.

Guess what? Still thirsty.

I knew what I needed. I needed water.

Fortunately, we have water . . . and glasses to put water in . . . and a refrigerator that keeps said water cold for whenever it may be needed.

The problem? That water was all the way down the hall from me!

Okay – our house is not that large. It is only about six steps from the bedroom to the kitchen . . . maybe eight if my sleepy eyes are not yet quite open and I stagger about a bit. But still . . . the water I craved was in a whole different room!

I would have to move from where I was . . . from the cosy comfort of my bed to the cold, dark kitchen.

 From the moment that I first awoke and realized that I was thirsty to the moment that I actually got out of bed and plodded down the hallway, poured a glass of water and was satisfied, much time was wasted!

If I had just responded to what my body was telling me that it needed, I could have had more sleep time . . . or I may have enjoyed the robin’s song. I could have had an early but productive start to my day. I could have actually had a real prayer time and communion with my Father.

Instead I wasted time . . . in a sense choosing to stay thirsty.

Ever had a time when your soul was thirsty? Yes? Me too.

Sometimes my methods for dealing with those thirsty times are just as ineffective as my methods of dealing with my early morning need for a drink.

Ignore it. Hope it will just go away. Think about something else. Get busy doing other stuff. Talk about it. Complain about it. Everything but go to the source of Living Water . . .

I can make it so complicated. Jesus makes it so simple.

“. . . If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.” John 7:37

Do you notice that Jesus says “Come to me”?

I want to be clear that this isn’t about doing something to earn what my thirsty soul needs however . . . I do need to take a step.

It may mean getting out of my comfy bed and moving to my knees.

It may mean putting down a book about God’s Word and picking up God’s Word.

It may mean turning off the music . . . even the good music . . . and listening in the silence for the still small voice.

It may be choosing to be less busy.

It may be something completely different for you than it is for me but the promised result is for all of us.

When Jesus was talking with the Samaritan woman at the well he said, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10

And, if that is truth . . . if it is just that simple, then let’s not choose to stay thirsty . . . let’s just go to Jesus and ask.

Ruth U.

Nest Matters

Feathering my nest is one of my favourite little past times. I love to decorate and clean and organize and move things around. My husband appreciates it for the most part . . . well, except for the time I rearranged the bedroom furniture while he was away on business and returned during the night, but that’s a blog for a different day – one on healing (stubbed toes) and repentance and such.

It used to be quite cumbersome day in and day out when the children were young and living at home. Frankly it was quite a job just keeping up. Now, feathering my nest includes parting with some of the things that served me well during that time but aren't needed now, were left behind by same children or are just plain taking up space I’d rather use for something else or *gasp* have unoccupied.

The nests we have lived in over the years have served us so well – it’s been such a pleasure, as every eagle mama, gathering the soft feathers and gentle mosses to make it cozy and loving and caring for my little ones – instructing, guiding, protecting. I never intended to raise them to coddle them in the nest but to grow them up strong. Strong in character and wisdom and knowledge; until the time came for each of them to fly, in their own purpose.

I enjoy our ongoing conversations about what they feel they were created for and how all of that is coming about . . . or not. It’s a big leap of faith, taking that step away – sometimes it comes at will and sometimes by circumstance but ALWAYS by design (HIS). When given the choice of the comfortable over trusting God for the unseen, it’s tough! When the inconvenient and repeating life lessons come our way it’s easy to whine rather than appreciate it as an opportunity to grow.

But this I know for sure: God has created all of us for the wide open skies, the freedom, eagles enjoy. Imagine life embracing more than the familiar nest, more than the mundane, more than the same old same old . . . and it’s good!

“He shielded him and cared for him; He guarded him as the apple of His eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions.  So the LORD alone did lead him.” Deuteronomy 32:10-12 NIV

Yes, the LORD leads with great things in mind for His glory. You are the apple of His eye (the WORD says so)! He wants what’s best for you. He will guide and provide.

There’s an interesting fact about eagles: When a storm moves into the area where an eagle is flying and the winds are high velocity, the thunder is rumbling across the area and the lightning is flashing . . . at that very moment, the eagle flies straight into the storm; allowing the very winds that threaten to overcome it to be the channel through which it soars higher and higher and more steadily! Up to where the view changes! Ah, a glimpse of perspective! Holy Spirit wind through any storm AND for your children too!

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Keep claiming those truths – through thick and thin. I plan to keep feathering the nest as a haven in the midst of whatever is going on, but also as a launch for the next flight out, back into the battle.

Press in and press on,

Giselle L.

The Joy Quilt

This past summer, the Lord laid it on my heart to complete a project that had been long abandoned – not by me, but by my grandmother. Fifteen years ago, my grandma decided to make a quilt for me. She had made quilts for the other grandkids in previous years, and now my turn had come. I had been given several patterns to choose from, and a choice of colors. I can just picture her busily selecting the fabric at the store, bringing it home and starting to carefully cut out each tiny piece. I can’t even imagine how frustrating it must have been when, shortly after beginning my quilt, she was diagnosed with cancer. It was so painful to watch her slowly slip away as she fought bravely for three years until it finally took her life. The unfinished quilt, still in small pieces, was packed up and stored away.

When my parents decided to sell the house I grew up in, the quilt pieces were discovered and handed over to me in the hope that someone, at sometime, would make the effort to complete the project. So this summer, I decided it was time – and it was going to be me who did it.

I have never quilted before, but I knew enough to know that I needed the pattern – and it was missing. How was I supposed to put these pieces together correctly without the pattern? After all attempts at locating the pattern had failed, I decided just to lay out all the pieces on the floor and see what I could make of them. I did purchase a 'how-to' book for beginning quilters, which turned out to be all I needed. As I carefully tried different placements for the pieces, I eventually found an arrangement that I liked that would also be fairly simple to complete. Following my book step by step, my quilt slowly began to take shape.

I've always enjoyed creating things by hand, especially if it's something new that I never thought I could do before. I felt amazed at the results of my labor – and also sentimental at the fact that I was completing something my grandmother had begun. It was a group effort! The tiny fabric pieces she had put so much time into cutting out were finally being unified and given a purpose by my own pattern and my own hand.

Do you think that's how God feels about us? He certainly doesn't enjoy watching us suffer like we do – but how His tremendously creative heart longs to bring redemption and purpose into our brokenness! The Bible says in Psalm 126:5-6 that "those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." It's never easy having to endure seasons of sorrow, but if we remember that they are often necessary to bring joy and harvest, then we can learn to trust God more as we go through them. And even if you've spent years feeling guilty and regretful about something, it's never too late to bring it all to God. Only He knows the ultimate pattern that will bring all your pieces back together and have your life make sense. Like learning to quilt, all you need is the 'how-to' book – the Bible – that can take you each step of the way. Leave the big picture to Him.

Looking back, I'm so glad I took the time and effort to complete my quilt. In fact, I've named it my Joy Quilt. Partly because of Psalm 126:5-6, but mostly because my grandmother's name was Joyce, and I was given my middle name 'Joy' after her. I hope the quilt will remain useful and beautiful for generations to come. I also can't wait to get to heaven so I can tell grandma how her sacrifice of time and energy was not futile, but instead became a symbol of God's creative redemption.

Ruth-Ellen W.

True Worshipers

Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

I've recently been given the opportunity to be in charge of the music ministry in our church and so the concept of worship has been taking up a lot of my brain power these days. I find the term “worship leader” odd because usually it refers to someone who has the role of “song picker, mood shaper, or music leader.” What does it really mean to be a Worship leader?

The truth is, music is really such a small part of worship. Paul is talking about being a “living sacrifice.” Those words actually terrify me a little bit. This is because they allude to the idea that worship is more than those great warm feelings you get when the right song plays at the right time. More than feeling God's presence in a song that hits you hard in that soft spot in your heart. These words allude to worship costing you something and continually costing you something. Not only does worship cost you something, but it involves your whole body! And not just on Sundays! Worship is your whole body. In other words, your whole life. (Unless you can think of a way to do life here without your body.)

Worship is giving your life over to God in such an extreme way that your bodies are “sacrificed” to Him. Meaning bodies and lives given entirely to him to use for His purposes only. Worship is knowing he deserves our sacrifice, and honouring him by giving ourselves fully, completely, with utter loyalty and a death to any rights we think we have. Extreme? Well yes it is.

I believe we are all called to be worshipers, not just the musically gifted. I want my life to be one big act of worship to this creator of the universe who chose to let me be His daughter. I don't want to forget for one minute the miracle that is His passionate pursuit of His creation. That little old me and all my selfishness, impatience, obsessiveness, distracted heart, and judgmental attitudes gets to be changed daily into something that is so much more beautiful. That he wants to change me. That he takes the time to change me. That he speaks to me. That he touches me. That he reveals his joy and love to me in all the beauty and goodness surrounding me. That he reveals his pain and sorrow at all the darkness surrounding me. That he has things he wants me to do. And that he has something to show me, say to me, reveal to me, every moment of every day . . . if I worship. If I surrender this body and this life to the adoration of who He is and to the plans he wants t accomplish through me.

A couple years ago after being inspired at a conference, I bought a beeper.  I set it to vibrate every 10 minutes to remind me to worship. My goal was to learn to live in a continuous state of worship. It was an amazing experience. It is very hard to think negative thoughts of anyone when you are stopping to worship every ten minutes! Amazing things began to happen. I began to see people through God's eyes instead of through the eyes of our circumstances. I began to know what God wanted of me in the little moments as well as the big moments. Lines at the grocery store became chances to bless the people around me. My kids became so beautiful to me that I was frequently moved to tears at the precious gift I'd been given in them. My husband became a wonderful man who loved me so deeply. All of these things were there before, but they looked different as I walked through life as a worshiper.

Worship is not about being at church and singing songs. Worship is going to an exercise class, introducing yourself to someone new, and smiling at the women around you; sharing his presence with joy, not just suffering through the exercises until you can leave. Worship is stopping to cuddle your little toddler who is covered in snot and dirt (and who knows what else!) when she keeps pulling on your leg and yelling as you try to make supper. Worship is being in tune with God's heart to the place where you know what he wants of you in every moment of every day. Worship means you are never off duty. You are called to be living sacrifices. At work, at school, at home, at restaurants, in stores and in those moments when you least want to be a worshiper. Especially in those moments. But the best thing about being a living sacrifice? The more you worship, the less it feels like a sacrifice.  The more it feels like an honour and a privilege. How truly blessed we are. We are His.

Erin N.

Blooming Where You're Planted

Have you ever heard the phrase “bloom where you are planted”?

It’s been around for a number of years and it’s a great phrase. It’s all about being content and flourishing where you are. Making the best of the situation you are in.

I am reminded of a chapter in Jeremiah which was written to the exiles in Babylon. Jeremiah 29:4-7 says, “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

And a well-known verse for many of us is just a few verses later. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

We often quote the above verse, but when we consider it in the context of those who had been exiled to Babylon – these were very difficult days for the Israelites and they were in exile for a number of years. They needed to bloom where they were planted, in the midst of all that was going on around them.

How are you doing with that? Can you find spots to share the light of Jesus with those around you, even if you don’t like the place where you are living – literally or figuratively?

• What if you don’t like the neighbourhood you live in – could you still make some muffins for the little old lady across the street?
• What if you don’t like the repeated visits to the clinic trying to figure out your child’s health issues – could you still greet those working there with a smile and word of encouragement?
• What if you don’t like the uncertainty of your children’s choices and their disrespect of curfew – could you still worship God while you trust Him with their lives?

What if we could still share Jesus with others in the midst of the situations and circumstances we find ourselves in everyday?

What if we could still praise the Lord even if we can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel? 

What if we could still be at peace in the midst of the storm raging around us?

Then we can stand on Jeremiah 29:11. We know God spoke this to the Israelites when they were exiled to Babylon – He will be with us wherever we are too!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jo-Ann

Church in the Classifieds

Have you recently visited the classified section of the newspaper? You know...the place where people are offering their services or looking for relationships? Most people are trying to put their best foot forward, accentuate the positive and maximize their strengths. As a piano teacher looking for prospective students, I would state something like “Friendly, highly educated, energetic piano teacher with 20 years experience now accepting students”. This might be more effective than, say, “Apathetic, somewhat educated, easily annoyed piano teacher with no experience now accepting students as long as they aren't lazy, whiny or rude”. Notice the subtle differences.

No one looking for a relationship in the classifieds mentions that they’re emotionally needy or that they’re the World’s Biggest Nag or that they possess a nose-picking compulsion. Every lady posting an ad is “blonde, blue-eyed, 5’6’, 120 pounds, loves to cook and will take care of you”. By the third date, most fellas are going to figure out that the ad may have left out a few crucial details.

How do we sell our churches? I suspect most church websites (mine included) profess to be a safe place, where people can belong and be part of a family, a place where you can find healing, etc. This is not wrong. As churches, this is what we aspire to. But it does not always reflect our reality as a group of selfish humans fumbling toward grace.

You don’t have to hang around a church too long before thinking, “Back up the train, this isn’t what the website said!” Church can be a messed up place. We’ve wounded one another. We’ve made promises that have not been kept – promises that are perhaps impossible to keep (ie. safe place...is it possible to guarantee someone’s safety?). We’ve marginalized others who aren’t like us. Sometimes it’s a case of being tired/hungry/lonely/stressed and taking it out on others.

When we as believers make mistakes, it can be tempting to gloss over or make a vague statement about a situation or get defensive and pass off the blame. These responses can feel disingenuous and hollow-hearted. They do not honour God. Maybe the best approach is to say “Hey guys, I made the wrong call and I’m sorry” or “I realize what I said might have been hurtful and I need your forgiveness” or “Whoa Nelly! That choice I made was pretty selfish...can you forgive me?” ...as terrifying as that is.

I would respond to a church classified ad that sounded like this:

We are a community who is trying to figure out this whole loving Jesus and loving people thing. Sometimes we get it right. Sometimes we get it very wrong. We would love for you to come and figure it out with us. We can’t promise you will never get hurt. Someone will disappoint you. Someone will say something stupid. Sometimes that someone will be you. When that happens, we will humble ourselves, admit wrongdoing and administer forgiveness in the spirit of reconciliation. We will invite God to make something beautiful out of something ugly. We will invite God’s grace to cover our brokenness and ask that His strength be made perfect in our weakness. Then we can come out on the other side of hurt and disappointment and share the grace and gospel of Jesus with others because we have experienced it together.

Brenda E.

Dream Extravagantly

On a beautiful fall walk a couple of years ago my husband asked me a question that became like a knife in my gut.

“What are your dreams?”, he asked.

I walked in stunned silence for a bit, biting my lip and blinking furiously to try to keep my tears from making their way down my cold, freckled cheeks.

I think my answer was something like “Uhhh, I... uhhh.. what? Hmmmm... Aaaand then the tears started...  and they didn't stop... for a LONG time.

He held my hand, looked in my eyes and gently said “You used to dream. You've stopped dreaming because someone told you that you weren't good enough and you weren't smart enough. Dream. Dream extravagantly. Dream the impossible because God says you can.”

Those words haunted me for a long time. Dream extravagantly. What does that even look like? What were the things that God had birthed in me years before? What were the things I’d wanted to BE, to DO? What were my seemingly ‘impossible dreams’?

The journey to ‘dream again’ has not been always easy, pretty or nice. It has been met with tears, frustration and maybe even some stern word exchanges between God and I (well, more so on MY part . . .)

In one afternoon where I took an inventory of the things I LOVED and things I was passionate about I became increasingly agitated. My list included things like worship, nursing school, missions, photography and social injustice. If God created these passions in me how could they be so far apart? A few of them could run together, but Worship and Nursing school? Really? And now, which direction should I go in? Should I pursue music? Nursing? A few deep breaths and I closed my notepad of lists and did something more constructive with my time – like Facebook or Instagram!

A few weeks later came a request from a beautiful friend of mine asking if I would want to lead worship for a Woman’s Retreat being held at her church. I didn't hesitate long to answer with a bellowing ‘YES’. Worship, it was on my ‘list’! The theme of the weekend was ‘Women of Passionate Purpose’ (even now I smirk at the creativeness of Christ and His sense of humor.)

As I listened to Kourtnay speak about finding the things we were passionate about and DOING them, my spirit began to get restless again. Was this a gentle nudge, or a blatant PUSH of the edge of the cliff? As any worship leader will tell you, leading worship for these events changes the dynamic of the retreat. Altar calls for me are spent at the piano not at the actual altar, and although God has spoken to me more times than I can count while I quietly worshiped at the piano (I actually received the Holy Spirit sitting at the piano during an altar call) my mind is sometimes concentrating on what God is speaking to me about the songs and not necessarily on the message that was just spoken. On that particular Saturday night Kourtnay was gearing up for an altar call and I was listening for what song I was going to sing. As she wound down her message she looked directly at me and said ‘no music’. Because I head up the music ministry in the church I am often the one who leads worship for any special event and therefore hadn't sat at the altar during a service for a long time. Her question for us to ask at the altar was this “what is God calling YOU to be, what is YOUR purpose?” I put my notebook down and prepared to walk the winding path towards the altar. Tears streaming down my face (altar times get me EVERYTIME, even if ONE person comes to the altar during a service I immediately tear up) I prepared to stand up and then came the audible voice, “I want you to be a nurse in Medical Missions”. That was it. After that came the silence. There has never been another word spoken about it. I just KNEW. Where, God? When, God? Silence. But the voice was real. It was loud. And, I. just. Knew.

It was a few months later as I was rehashing the weekends notes and events when I realized the answer to one of my frustrating questions: “If God created these passions in me, how could they be so far apart?”  Here’s how: When God burns passion in you He will bring them all together to intertwine and intersect in creative and crazy ways. God used a weekend of me leading worship to speak to me about nursing. Then God brought me to the Philippines, to a place I love, to a city called Malabon, where these beautiful people are denied any medical care because of their extreme poverty. I worked alongside a nurse in the medical line – loving, praying, healing, checking x-rays, giving medicine, bringing hope. I've used my camera to tell the stories of the children in the far corners of the world who have no voice and I've been invited to India to be part of the ground work of rescuing young girls caught in the sex trade industry. I still can’t help but smile as I see Gods hand in all of it. ALL. OF. It!

Along the way I've learned that it’s not about WHAT I do, it’s about WHO I AM. The things that I’m passionate about, those are all things that God has put within me. They are part of my DNA. They are who I am. My dreams are not just mine, they are put there by a creative genius who knows exactly who I am and has created me that way to facilitate the things He wants me to do.

And so the journey continues for me. I begin Nursing school on September 1^st. A new chapter of learning and trusting and KNOWING. Knowing that I’m right where I belong. Knowing that in committing my work to him, my plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3). And also knowing THIS: “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.” Ephesians 1:11

So I encourage you to dream. Dream HUGE. Dream the impossible. Dream with Jesus. It’s worth it. And although none of it may make any sense, and all of it may seem ludicrous  remember that God thrives in the impossible. Ask Abraham, or better yet, ask Sarah. Ask Hannah. Ask Leah. Ask Ruth. Ask Esther. Ask Jesus. 

^“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Tara W.

Tomato Plants

Let me tell you a little story . . . 

This past spring I purchased some tomato plants and planted one cherry tomato plant in our garden and one in a planter to have at the cabin where we were going to be spending some of our time during the summer. However I learned something this year; tomato plants need sunshine – LOTS of it! I put the planter in a somewhat sunny spot, but in those early days young plants need A LOT of sun. (I actually knew this too, but I was secretly hoping this plant would be different this year.) Anyway, the tomato in the planter grew and grew and grew – straight up . . . like a Jack-In-The-Beanstalk kind of straight up. There were a few leaves, but it was a straight stalk which grew to about 6 ft tall with 5 small cherry tomatoes on it (at the top!), which never did have a chance to ripen.

I also planted the exact same cherry tomato plant in our garden at home (in the full sun!) and it grew to about 3 ft tall with piles of leaves, lots of tomatoes and an overall healthy looking plant.

This whole gardening experience got me thinking about the similarities between these tomato plants and our lives as believers. In those early days as a believer we need to get planted and plugged in to healthy, nutritious soil (our local church). But in some instances we find ourselves growing, but not in a healthy way, without the fullness, depth and maturity we should be showing as a believer. In time we can even produce flowers and fruit, but there is still the missing health and maturity in our spiritual lives.

We can have 2 healthy, similar plants (individuals), both planted in healthy, similar soil (church), each getting sun (teaching), but with very different outcomes. The amount of sun the plant receives each day is directly linked to the health and maturity of the plant. Just as the depth of solid, accurate, biblical teaching, and application to our lives, is directly linked to our maturity as a follower of Jesus. It’s measured by the amount of healthy fruit produced.

I watched this poor, sad, pitiful cherry tomato plant all summer repeatedly thinking it would eventually bush out and produce lots of fruit, just like the tomato plant at home. However the reality is it NEEDS more sun than it’s getting and NOTHING can replace real, genuine sun like actual SUN. All the hoping, all the good intentions, all the anticipation for a different outcome doesn't change the reality that my cherry tomato plant MUST have “full sun” in order to flourish.

As new believers we NEED solid, biblical teaching and we NEED the challenge to grow and mature as believers – just as my poor tomato plant needed full sun. We can never be content with a little teaching that goes in one ear and out the other. We need solid, biblical teaching which we can apply to our lives as we strive to be more like Jesus.

Hebrew 13:9a says, “Don’t be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings”

Jo-Ann P.

Distracted

I am friends with two couples who are new to our community and looking for a church. I've been obsessed with how to show them how amazing our church is. I want them to know how freely the Holy Spirit moves through the people who attend. I want them to feel the beautiful presence God blesses us with as we worship. I want them to know how deeply loved they will be by the people who make up this family I call church. I want them to get out of their boxes and try something that would challenge and grow them in ways they have not yet experienced in a church. And I've been frustrated because for whatever reason, they can't see it. I'm a control freak. And I'm distracted. Distracted from what is really important.

What started with good motives, has turned into an embarrassing conviction from God. I have moved into a heart attitude that is judgmental of other churches. I've become angry at people who aren't as spiritually “mature.” (Because spiritual maturity always involves anger, frustration, judgement and control, right?) And I've become exactly the opposite of what I love about our church. A church who loves people where they are at, gives grace and helps them move forward in love. I've been reminded of how the enemy will use the most unexpected things to keep us distracted.

I think the enemy's desire is not to get us to sin just so he can keep a collection of all our sins and do a little victory dance. He wants us to sin because of how it ensnares us and keeps us in a state of defensiveness and ineffectiveness. Our sins distract us. How much time did I spend thinking about how to convince already saved couples that they needed to come to our church, and how many friends outside the church did I pray for and reach out to during that time? None. I hate to say it, but it was none. That is how distracted I was.

The reason I was created was to worship. To know God and to bring others into the knowledge of who he is. The evil one will use whatever he can to distract us from this. We need to evaluate whether or not we take seriously the mandates Jesus gave. We need to love our neighbours instead of being too busy with church activities to do so. We need to raise our kids intentionally and in a godly manner, (showing them the way they should go) instead of letting T.V., random teachers, and society influence our kids without thought. We need to take care of the planet instead of polluting it with our consumerism. We need to feed the hungry instead of gorging at potlucks. We need to fight for justice and stop fighting over doctrine. And we need to take care of widows and orphans in real practical self-sacrificing ways.

And just how easy is it to forget about our mandate? Well . . .

• Let’s argue about whether or not tongues are for everyone or just a gift for some.
• Let’s argue about whether or not social drinking is acceptable.
• Let’s discuss which of the churches in the community has the best worship services, pastor, kid’s ministry, etc.
• Let’s discuss what the worship leader was wearing on Sunday and if it was appropriate.
• Let’s spend a bible study devoted to figuring out our opinions on the end times, causing us to either move forward in arrogance or stock pile food in a cellar while people down the street are starving.
• Let’s analyze and interpret scripture instead of living it.

Need I go on???

Distracted.

I'm sure I've stepped on a few toes here, but I'm speaking out of my own conviction. And I'm not saying that most of these things aren't worth visiting from time to time. The danger is when it all just becomes a DISTRACTION. When these things occupy space in our life and in our minds that they were never intended to. When we spend so much time looking inward that the lost, wounded, and desperate, slip on by us, unnoticed. When we forget to worship the One we are arguing about, and when our own voice gets so loud it drowns out His still small one.

God, let me not be distracted. Let me fix my gaze on you, and only you.

Erin N.