If you are like me, this time of year always causes me to become very reflective. I spend a lot of time thinking about the past – performing a “searching moral inventory” of myself. I reflect on where I was this time last year and ask myself: “Have I become more Christ-like? How many opportunities did I miss? Did I catch all the God moments? Did I make right decisions and choices? Did I keep my focus on Christ, or was I only interested in my own selfish desires and wishes? Did I screw up? Was I so caught up in my own situation and life that I failed to see those around me and their need? Did I get involved in God’s work?
It’s a good thing to do an inventory. Oswald Chambers writes that "God is the God of our yesterdays and He allows the memory of them to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual growth for our future. God reminds us of the past to protect us from a very shallow security in the present". So, it is a good thing to reflect and learn from the past – to be honest with ourselves and face the future head on. To admit our failures and shortcomings. To come clean about things. To let God shine His light in the dark places of our hearts. To then to ask for and receive His forgiveness, accepting His love. Laying all the garbage of the past at the foot of the cross and leaving it there – taking with us only what we have learned, what He has revealed to us. If we let them, the insights and lessons learned in the past will shape our future and protect us from repeating the same mistakes.
We cannot change what has gone before. I love this quote from A Christmas Carol - "These are the shadows of the things that have been, that they are what they are do not blame me". And to quote Oswald again: "And God’s hand reaches back to the past, settling all the claims against our conscience. Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him." Our past failures and sins are wiped clean. We can step into this day with new insight, lessons learned – the past behind us.
And as we reflect on God’s faithfulness and goodness to us we can also step into the future with hope.
Perhaps the past was filled with very challenging circumstances . . . death, illness, broken relationships, financial burdens, families in distress, shattered dreams, disappointments, sadness – crisis after crisis.
Perhaps there were times when we thought we would be crushed under the burden of it all. Times when we asked God to just take us home – we were so done here. We could not face another day! But oh, how in those dark times, God’s goodness came through for us. How He sustained us during our trials. How His Love shone through all the turmoil. How we felt His care and comfort. How we could see His faithfulness to us. He did not abandon us. He walked with us through every crisis faced. He provided the peace and comfort we needed – if only we reached for His hand. He will keep the family of believers together – in spite of the battle that rages around us both individually and corporately. We are still here, thanks to the grace of God. And this gives us hope for the future.The future is known to God, but unknown to us. Some us woke up this morning to find that our circumstances have not changed . . . they may even have gotten worse! It might feel like we are walking in a fog.I want to share an excerpt from my journal: "I have no idea what the next year will bring – right now it’s confusion, uncertainty, like walking in a dense fog. But I just need to keep taking steps and moving forward. It is enough that You know the way and that You know each place I put my feet. And if I stumble on the path because I cannot see clearly, well - You are there to pick me up, dust me off and set me on my feet again. You have faithfully walked with me these past years and I know You will continue to guide my steps. I only ask that if I am straying to the left or the right, that you would pull me back onto the path You have prepared for me. Wherever that leads and I don’t really need to know because if I did it would not be a life of faith nor a life of adventure!
And so I will keep walking, my eyes fixed on You – the author and finisher of my faith."
So here we are, facing the future. The past is gone . . . done. What will we take from it with us? Will we take new insights, lessons learned. Will we take hope?
This is my list of desires for this new day (and they can only be if I keep my eyes on Jesus.): To live passionately and on purpose for my God. To not become complacent about the life He has given me. To seize each day with wonder and awe. To capture every God-moment. To not miss opportunities to share about Jesus through word and works. To get involved in His work. To walk by faith. To live with my heart beating with His. To dance in His arms. To be compassionate and forgiving. To be a valiant warrior for Him. To be strong and courageous. To be bold. To be a risk taker for God. To not settle for less than His best for me. To encourage others not to settle. To learn from the past. To not be afraid of the future. To live in an intimate love relationship with God as my Saviour, Lord and Romancer.
What are your desires for the future? Can we make a commitment to each other that we will walk together as a community, caring and loving for each other, encouraging and supporting, and praying for one another – no matter where the path leads us? Can we make a commitment to not be "lukewarm", but to be "on fire for Jesus" living radically changed lives, being real, raw and experiencing Him daily? Can we make a commitment to get beyond ourselves and see a bigger picture . . . getting involved in our church, our community and beyond; bringing God’s message of healing to hurting people, freedom for those struggling, love, peace and restoration.
We only have one shot at life. This life is short. Let’s not waste it – let’s seize every moment God has given us.
So I say we jump into the future with both feet, arms wide open shouting “bring it on”! For we have the God who created all things walking with us. We have nothing to fear, and everything to live for . . . everything to hope for.
Written by Susan Phillips, Associate Pastor at New Heights Community Church in Mission, BC.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
Empowering Mission Initiatives
I’ve just recently returned from a seven day visit to Accra, Ghana, a city of 2.5 million people in West Africa. The purpose of the trip was to spend mentoring time with John-Mark and Loreli Cockram and their two girls, Mallory and Sophia. The Cockrams are from the Barrie FMC and are doing a two year assignment in Ghana. Their job description is to help Ghana FM leaders in achieving their ministry goals.
One aspect of my visit was to finalize a partnership arrangement. The finished product talks about an agreement between Barrie Free Methodist Church, Ghana Mission District, The Free Methodist Church in Canada and Free Methodist World Missions (US FM mission dept.). That is a pretty unique arrangement, all things being considered! The relationship is primarily between Barrie FMC and leaders in the Ghana Mission District; the other two partners only play a support role.
I am often asked about what “head office” is doing regarding global ministries. When I look at our local churches across the country that are actively involved in global ministries, the answer is simple. The national Ministry Centre’s role is to help local churches reach their vision goals.
With Barrie FMC the process started in the fall of 2004, when local mission team members invited me to do a workshop with leadership in their church. Out of this process the church discerned their interest in ministry in West Africa. I was able to share with them various opportunities through FM ministries in a half dozen countries in that region. They settled on Ghana. My next step was to help them make connections with Pastor Charles Tetteh, the leader of FM work in Accra, Ghana.
In the summer of 2005, the church sent an exploratory team to Accra, to further investigate ministry partnership possibilities. During that visit, a commitment was made to help the Ghana FM leaders to plant a new church and develop a school in a community just outside Accra.
By August 2006, Barrie was sending a family to Ghana to be their link in this partnership for the next two years. Hence, my visit to the Cockrams in Accra. Again, the national Ministry Centre’s role has been to facilitate training, build connections, provide information, and mentoring where requested – not to control or direct, or give a stamp of legitimacy.
For several years New Horizon Community Church in Sarnia, ON along with Trulls Road FMC in Courtice, ON and Crossroads FMC in Salmon Arm, BC, have been involved in a church planting partnership in Hyderabad, India. This fall Pastor Vern Frudd from Centennial Chapel in Kamloops, BC joined Pastor Doug Griffin from Sarnia to provide Wesleyan Theology training for groups of pastors in India over a three week period.
The Hyderabad partnership has developed with minimal involvement from the national Ministry Centre – just a little bit of advice and some seed money every once in a while. In 2007, however, we are moving to a new level where the churches in this partnership are requesting a larger financial involvement from our Global Ministries Giving Stream to help fund more church planters and encourage the momentum of active ministry in India. That is, other FM churches can join this partnership by supporting “India” ministries through Giving Streams.
In January I travelled to Thailand with Pastor Greg and Erin Elford, from Mission, BC. This church in the Fraser Valley, has already sent two teams to Thailand in the past couple of years, through natural connections in their own congregation – a local church initiative. Now they are looking at building a more intentional relationship with FM leaders in Thailand. Our visit together allowed them to spend several days with these Thai leaders in strategic planning sessions.
Through numerous conversations we discussed the role of Canadian congregations sensitively encouraging national ministry initiatives. So, what is the national Ministry Centre doing? We’re working with churches that have a vision of what God has called them to do in the world.
At the same time, many of our churches have an interest in global ministries, but are not ready for taking on their own initiatives. These churches continue to give actively to the Global Ministries Giving Stream, collectively supporting our long-term missionaries in Central Africa – Lois Meredith, Linda Stryker and Debbie Hogeboom. Other undesignated funds are directed toward some of these partnerships mentioned above.
If you are interested in learning more about these partnerships, many of them are listed under Mission Projects in the Global Ministries section of our website. www.fmc-canada.org/global/and-beyond.html
If you would like more information about developing your own global ministries initiative feel free to contact me. sheffieldd@fmc-canada.org
Rev. Dan Sheffield is Director of Intercultural and Global Missions for The Free Methodist Church in Canada
One aspect of my visit was to finalize a partnership arrangement. The finished product talks about an agreement between Barrie Free Methodist Church, Ghana Mission District, The Free Methodist Church in Canada and Free Methodist World Missions (US FM mission dept.). That is a pretty unique arrangement, all things being considered! The relationship is primarily between Barrie FMC and leaders in the Ghana Mission District; the other two partners only play a support role.
I am often asked about what “head office” is doing regarding global ministries. When I look at our local churches across the country that are actively involved in global ministries, the answer is simple. The national Ministry Centre’s role is to help local churches reach their vision goals.
With Barrie FMC the process started in the fall of 2004, when local mission team members invited me to do a workshop with leadership in their church. Out of this process the church discerned their interest in ministry in West Africa. I was able to share with them various opportunities through FM ministries in a half dozen countries in that region. They settled on Ghana. My next step was to help them make connections with Pastor Charles Tetteh, the leader of FM work in Accra, Ghana.
In the summer of 2005, the church sent an exploratory team to Accra, to further investigate ministry partnership possibilities. During that visit, a commitment was made to help the Ghana FM leaders to plant a new church and develop a school in a community just outside Accra.
By August 2006, Barrie was sending a family to Ghana to be their link in this partnership for the next two years. Hence, my visit to the Cockrams in Accra. Again, the national Ministry Centre’s role has been to facilitate training, build connections, provide information, and mentoring where requested – not to control or direct, or give a stamp of legitimacy.
For several years New Horizon Community Church in Sarnia, ON along with Trulls Road FMC in Courtice, ON and Crossroads FMC in Salmon Arm, BC, have been involved in a church planting partnership in Hyderabad, India. This fall Pastor Vern Frudd from Centennial Chapel in Kamloops, BC joined Pastor Doug Griffin from Sarnia to provide Wesleyan Theology training for groups of pastors in India over a three week period.
The Hyderabad partnership has developed with minimal involvement from the national Ministry Centre – just a little bit of advice and some seed money every once in a while. In 2007, however, we are moving to a new level where the churches in this partnership are requesting a larger financial involvement from our Global Ministries Giving Stream to help fund more church planters and encourage the momentum of active ministry in India. That is, other FM churches can join this partnership by supporting “India” ministries through Giving Streams.
In January I travelled to Thailand with Pastor Greg and Erin Elford, from Mission, BC. This church in the Fraser Valley, has already sent two teams to Thailand in the past couple of years, through natural connections in their own congregation – a local church initiative. Now they are looking at building a more intentional relationship with FM leaders in Thailand. Our visit together allowed them to spend several days with these Thai leaders in strategic planning sessions.
Through numerous conversations we discussed the role of Canadian congregations sensitively encouraging national ministry initiatives. So, what is the national Ministry Centre doing? We’re working with churches that have a vision of what God has called them to do in the world.
At the same time, many of our churches have an interest in global ministries, but are not ready for taking on their own initiatives. These churches continue to give actively to the Global Ministries Giving Stream, collectively supporting our long-term missionaries in Central Africa – Lois Meredith, Linda Stryker and Debbie Hogeboom. Other undesignated funds are directed toward some of these partnerships mentioned above.
If you are interested in learning more about these partnerships, many of them are listed under Mission Projects in the Global Ministries section of our website. www.fmc-canada.org/global/and-beyond.html
If you would like more information about developing your own global ministries initiative feel free to contact me. sheffieldd@fmc-canada.org
Rev. Dan Sheffield is Director of Intercultural and Global Missions for The Free Methodist Church in Canada
B.Ed. Application Approved: NEW TEACHERS COLLEGE AT TYNDALE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
New Faculty Will Enhance Tyndale’s Reputation as a Leading Christian Institution of Higher Education
TORONTO (January 12, 2007) – David Zimmer, MPP Willowdale was joined by Dr. Brian C. Stiller, President of Tyndale University College, to announce the approval by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities for Tyndale to apply to operate a teachers college.
Tyndale University College plans to start a one-year consecutive Bachelor of Education program in January 2008, subject to accreditation by the Ontario College of Teachers.
“Tyndale University College is a symbol of academic excellence and a jewel in the Willowdale community,” said MPP David Zimmer. “The approval for Tyndale to pursue the opening of its own Teacher’s College supports and respects the unique, quality education that Tyndale has provided in Toronto and Willowdale for over a century.”
Starting in January 2008, the proposed new program will provide more spaces for students to pursue post-professional opportunities with a particular focus on graduating teachers able to teach in the French language. The Tyndale Bachelor of Education program recognizes the current demand for qualified teachers of French language in Ontario schools. Therefore the proposed program is designed to offer teacher candidates the methodological foundation and appropriate practice required assuming that the teacher candidates enter the program with the necessary French language competency.
“This is an important step in the 113-year history of Tyndale in providing outstanding valued education to the Ontario community,” said President Stiller. “Through Tyndale’s efforts, and thanks to the outstanding leadership of our MPP David Zimmer, we have been able to achieve this important milestone.”
“I applaud the McGuinty government in awarding Tyndale this exciting opportunity to offer a Bachelor of Education degree,” noted Dr. Charles Price, Senior Minister of The Peoples Church in Willowdale. “As such, it will provide enormous service to our community.”
The Rev. Samuel Chan, Senior Pastor, Richmond Hill Chinese Community Church echoed the same approvals and noted that “We are pleased that the government is supporting Tyndale in allowing this degree. Tyndale has for years been important to our church community and the B.Ed. program will be of great value to our people.” More than 50 community leaders were on hand to celebrate this announcement.
TORONTO (January 12, 2007) – David Zimmer, MPP Willowdale was joined by Dr. Brian C. Stiller, President of Tyndale University College, to announce the approval by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities for Tyndale to apply to operate a teachers college.
Tyndale University College plans to start a one-year consecutive Bachelor of Education program in January 2008, subject to accreditation by the Ontario College of Teachers.
“Tyndale University College is a symbol of academic excellence and a jewel in the Willowdale community,” said MPP David Zimmer. “The approval for Tyndale to pursue the opening of its own Teacher’s College supports and respects the unique, quality education that Tyndale has provided in Toronto and Willowdale for over a century.”
Starting in January 2008, the proposed new program will provide more spaces for students to pursue post-professional opportunities with a particular focus on graduating teachers able to teach in the French language. The Tyndale Bachelor of Education program recognizes the current demand for qualified teachers of French language in Ontario schools. Therefore the proposed program is designed to offer teacher candidates the methodological foundation and appropriate practice required assuming that the teacher candidates enter the program with the necessary French language competency.
“This is an important step in the 113-year history of Tyndale in providing outstanding valued education to the Ontario community,” said President Stiller. “Through Tyndale’s efforts, and thanks to the outstanding leadership of our MPP David Zimmer, we have been able to achieve this important milestone.”
“I applaud the McGuinty government in awarding Tyndale this exciting opportunity to offer a Bachelor of Education degree,” noted Dr. Charles Price, Senior Minister of The Peoples Church in Willowdale. “As such, it will provide enormous service to our community.”
The Rev. Samuel Chan, Senior Pastor, Richmond Hill Chinese Community Church echoed the same approvals and noted that “We are pleased that the government is supporting Tyndale in allowing this degree. Tyndale has for years been important to our church community and the B.Ed. program will be of great value to our people.” More than 50 community leaders were on hand to celebrate this announcement.
A snapshot of the "Kingdom on earth" entrusted to us
Leadership development is a biblical mandate. It is also the best way to express personnel work in The Free Methodist Church in Canada (FMCiC.) To have healthy churches requires healthy pastors, and more of them. Pastoral leaders among others (apostles, prophets, and evangelists, Eph 4 11,) have a clear calling: “Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ,” (Eph 4:12). Are we becoming a movement that is growing in God’s mission to reach all people or just an institution that warmly remembers a glorious past when God was at work. I want to be part of a movement where God is at work. Here’s the snapshot.
MEGaP Interviews. A big thanks to the Ministerial Education Guidance and Placement (MEGaP) committee. These are dedicated and hard working interview teams of 34 pastors and lay people. In 2006, there were 120 people ready for MEGaP interviews. We could only interview 55. This is a problem, but a good one. It means that we have men and women in our churches taking the next step in carrying out their call to ministry. For 2007, almost 70 candidates are ready for interviews and MEGaP has capacity to interview 55 again. These include church planters, inter-cultural pastors, cross-cultural workers (missionaries), transfers in, second career candidates, and those wanting to serve in existing Canadian local churches.
New People Tracking. All followers of Christ have a call. We define “tracking” as candidates in the FMCiC accepting a call to a higher level of accountability and training. We’ve wondered if this is “catch up,” or a regular flow of candidates tracking from 2004 and previous years. We only have accurate statistics of those who starting tracking since 2004. In 2004, there were over 50 who started tracking. This is not catch up because we had 32 new people start tracking in 2005, and 34 started in 2006. Is this going to be a new trend? It’s too early to tell, but we know that there is a regular flow of new people in our tracking each year. We are thankful.
Foundational Courses continue to grow. All candidates need to take the Foundational Course, “Heart of Canadian Free Methodism.” This course helps candidates decide if their hearts beat with the heart of our movement. All Foundational Courses are offered by us on weekends across the country. However, students may take Introduction to Bible and Introduction to Doctrine as equivalency courses at a bible college or seminary.
Wesleyan Theology. Rev. David Ashton will teach Wesleyan Theology on April 27-29, 2007. This may be the last time you can take this great course from David due to his retirement. The BOA, Lorne Park College Foundation and MEGaP have Wesleyan scholarship on the top of their agenda. We will have two Canadian graduate students attend the course as Prof. Ashton’s teaching assistants. We are preparing now for a future crop of teachers to keep a high standard in Wesleyan studies in Canada.
Ethos of Generosity. MEGaP has added a new Foundational Course that is vital to our movement. All new candidates tracking with us as of May 30, 2007 will need complete this course. All pastors will take this course as a Continuing Education Unit within the next 5 years. It will be offering help in personal finances and building generous hearts towards the needs of others.
Members of Conference. Our vision in the FMCiC is “A healthy church within the reach of all Canadians and beyond.” One of the markers is the increase in members of conference. Between 1999 and 2002 we updated the conference records. The accurate membership was 223. In 2006 we have a total of 158 people tracking for ministry of which 70 are ordination candidates. In 2006 we stand at 227 members. In 2008 factoring in probable deaths and transfers out per year, we anticipate that our membership could be at 287 by next General Conference.
National MEGaP and Leadership Development Plan (LDP). This is a “seed” experiment that has been germinating since 2004. There are 12-14 pastoral leaders who have demonstrated local capacity to live out Ephesians 4:12, “Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” (New Living Translation) In concert with National MEGaP, these LDP churches are being trained to do interviewing locally for their own candidates. MEGaP is guiding the interviewing process. The NMEGaP will always be the main delivery system for credentialing candidates; it is not expected that all local churches will have capacity to take on an LDP function. As MEGaP empowers LDP local churches, it will keep us from expanding the number of people on MEGaP to meet the current demand.
Kingdom on Earth. The Lord’s Prayer says, “Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” That means the renewed earth will resemble heaven and the body of Christ on earth will resemble heaven. Are we becoming a vital movement in the Body of Christ? Yes. Are we there yet? No. Eph 4:13 says it’s God’s purpose to bring unity in the whole body, it will resemble heaven, on earth. The kingdom on earth will have a Body of vital followers of Jesus, caring about those whom Jesus loves, in areas we are called to serve. As we become a movement, it will be because Jesus is fulfilling his promise, “I will build my church.” As a movement we pray earnestly the Lord’s Prayer, “your kingdom come on earth.” That’s a great reason to be a movement. It’s a great purpose for our lives.
Rev. Alan Retzman is Director of Personnel for The Free Methodist Church in Canada
Introducing people to the God of compassion
Editor’s Note: We all have a role to play in influencing the areas in which we work and live. This article focuses primarily on one way individuals are making a difference in the lives of people facing terrible circumstances. I think there are larger lessons incorporated in these experiences that we can draw on and apply to our own lives in our efforts to engage our communities. Let’s accept the challenge as to how we too can practically bring Christ’s love to others.
He was dying, fearful of what was next, scrambling through his jumbled thoughts to make sense out of his diagnosis, and what his life had been all about. His heart was heavy as he questioned the existence of God and the afterlife, and then troubled at the thought of it all being real. Like many people facing a life-threatening diagnosis he began a spiritual journey that one Sunday morning led him to a small church, one he had often passed by without a second glance. He was desperate to obtain some peace for his troubled soul. Week after week he returned to the same church finding a momentary reprieve in the midst of the music and preaching, from his fears and anxiety.
One Sunday he conjured up enough courage to approach the pastor. Nervously he disclosed his HIV status, knowing from the past the negative repercussions it could have. This time though instead of being questioned about how he contracted HIV, the pastor with a sincere expression thanked him for trusting him with this painful secret and assured him that he was welcome in the church and that he would no longer have to journey alone. The pastor and this small congregation crossed over the barriers of fear, ignorance and prejudice, and instead demonstrated God’s love and compassion to a man dying of AIDS. This one act of compassion seeded the beginnings of the hospice I now direct, (Philip Aziz Centre), which over the past 11 years has served hundreds of people like this man, Philip, helping to make a difficult life journey more manageable and meaningful.
I recall joining the team of Board members and the Director to start the Centre from a small endowment Philip had entrusted to the church, with the request that they would continue to unconditionally reach out and support people living with HIV, like himself. At the time we began, HIV was predominantly affecting the gay community in Toronto and I struggled about how this small Christian organization could reach out to them genuinely and compassionately, and be trusted. We slowly built relationships with other AIDS service agencies and hospices, learning from their experiences as well as informing them of our endeavours. We recruited and trained volunteers and developed our hospice programs. Serving with excellence and compassion was our objective. We set up a spiritual care program to support others like Philip who needed to talk with someone about their spiritual concerns; someone who would listen without judging, preaching or moralizing. Compassion, education, a wash cloth and basin were our ministry tools and means by which we demonstrated God’s love for people. Philip Aziz, before he died, found the peaceful place in his life he had sought and said goodbye to the world with these passing words…. “at last I know I have the love of my creator.” Over the years I have heard those words spoken, cried, prayed and shouted in various ways from countless precious people who have experienced God’s love through the hospice services provided by our volunteers and staff.
“No one should die alone,” were the convicting words spoken by a young man I had the privilege of journeying with near the end of his life. This man was blessed with the support of family, close friends and hospice volunteers, who stayed by him throughout his battle with AIDS. But sadness and frustration invaded his voice one day when he recalled to me the situation his friends back home faced…they too had AIDS but were silenced by the fear of discrimination that only brought with it isolation, judgment and shame. Following his death, I visited this region of the world and was confronted by the painful truth of what this young man in Canada had shared with me. There I met a teenage transsexual living with AIDS who was ostracized by his family, because of sexuality. When I inquired about his support system, who was there for him….he shuffled and stared disconcertedly. His confusion grew when I pressed him further about spiritual care, wondering if he had struggled with the tough questions or thought of seeking out some of his religious leaders for direction. He laughed sarcastically. “I could never talk with them…look at me. I’m a reject (outcast) for them. Trash!” “That’s what they call people like me. I already feel bad enough – why would I go to them to feel worse?” Overwhelmed by his obvious pain, I blurted out: “Trash? No. God does not create trash.” I then began to share with him what I believed about God. “God does not breathe life into trash, but rather into human beings made in His own image, which you are. Life has purpose and meaning. You were created to be loved and to reciprocate that love.” Tears filled the young man’s eyes as he listened to my words about a God who loved him and understood his pain and confusion. His sad expression changed as he suddenly realized what this meant…he was not alone…nor would he die alone and unloved, even though those who had loved him, had walked away.
As I left, I was challenged in my own heart, and wondered what message I send people through my words, deeds, looks or indifference . . . what message does my Christian community send to people who feel ostracized, different, marginalized, or just unfamiliar , uncertain or skeptical about the church? Do I have hidden prejudices that cause me to judge people, instead of freely demonstrating respect and God’s love towards them? Mother Teresa said, “You can’t love those who you’ve already judged..” Judgment builds barriers, love alone will build bridges.
At first glance, she was not unlike any other girl her age; energetic, playing with friends and Barbie’s, laughing and dreaming about all the things she wanted to do when she grew up. If you looked closer however, you would notice a sadness in her eyes that disguised the pain of a secret she guarded with her life. Her mother had warned her that if her friends ever discovered her secret they would never play with her again. This little girl has AIDS. Her father and several other family members back in her home country have died because of it. I remember the day her mother and I sat together and she told her young daughter that the two of them had AIDS. She cried at first and then asked me if we could pray that God would not let them die until there was a cure. She is in high school now, knows her illness does not define who she is or devalue her worth and with this positive attitude she assists us in our hospice by helping other children in her predicament.
Her eyes were welled with tears, and through the sobs she tried to speak clearly though her English was weak…I strained to hear her as her words were directed downward and noticed how she was nervously trying to stop her hands from trembling by clasping them together on her lap. I touched her hands and smiled, assuring her that it was okay to talk and her story would be kept in confidence. She had carried the pain and secrets alone too long. This was the first time she felt she could talk to someone.
She began by expressing her thankfulness to God for allowing her to come to Canada, where she now had the opportunity to start a new life with hope for her children’s future. The journey to get here had been long and torturous, but now was her chance for happiness, security, freedom and health. However, lately her hopeful attitude had been interrupted by horrific images of her past, nightmares to which she could only helplessly respond to with tears. No matter how intentionally she repressed the memories, they erupted without warning and stirred a simmering anger just beneath her skin. Her nurse had called our hospice for support, recognizing that this woman was in spiritual distress and needed to talk.
I sat in a tattered chair across from her in a tiny, sparsely furnished basement apartment which she shared with her two teenage sons. After the small talk she opened up and began to share about her late husband, whom she missed dearly, and the horror she felt when she witnessed his murder. She confessed that only God could have helped her escape from the hands of her husbands murderers who took her as a slave for six months and left her with AIDS. She then stopped mid sentence, as if feeling guilty for the anger she felt towards these people and God, to say again how thankful she was to God for getting her out. After all it was God who gave her strength to endure the slavery, torture, physical and emotional pain. Then she started to cry….and asked sheepishly, “Why?” The fact she had any faith left astounded me. I wonder where I would be at if I had to endure such humiliation, pain and loss. Her faith had been challenged to the core, but she was still hanging on by a thread. Anger, guilt and sadness intermittently overwhelmed her and attacked the faith she had left. She didn’t want to lose her faith; it was the one thing she had left to hang onto from home, besides her children. I listened, careful not to offer a lame pat answer that would only shut her down or belittle her present struggle to make sense out of her past.
She lay in her bed reaching for the tray of McDonald’s food I had just picked up for her. It was her favourite. She lived alone in her apartment. It was a nicely decorated place, pictures of her daughters and her amateur paintings hung prominently on the walls. She had come a long way from the crack house where I first met her. Her daughters rarely visited, except to borrow money. She blamed herself, understanding their anger towards her as she had not been the mother they needed and had surrendered care of them to Children’s Aid when unable to nurture them or herself. She never had a real mother herself. Her only family had become the few volunteers from the hospice who visited weekly and an old friend who seemed to be more concerned with what he could take rather than what he could give her. Tossing back her thinning hair, a smile lit across her sunken cheeks as she boldly and with conviction said, “I know I’m beautiful, because God loves me. I don’t hate so much anymore, but my only regret is that my daughters won’t give me this one more chance to see I’ve changed…I want them to know I love them and pray for them. I guess I’ve conned them too many times that they’re tired of me crying wolf.” She asked me to pray that they would one day forgive her. She showed me a diary filled with letters she had written them, and asked that we make sure they get them at her funeral. It wasn’t always this way…..this young woman who was peacefully waiting for God was once a bitter, angry, violent and vengeful person. She was forced by her mother to go on the streets at 12 years old and there learned all the tricks for survival. She grew up hating and distrusting everyone – even herself. Her mother and the men she met told her she was trash, so she began to believe it and treated others the same. She had beat everything and everyone that got in her way, but against AIDS she was powerless. No amount of manipulation or drugs would make it go away. God softened this woman’s heart through the hospice volunteers who faithfully visited her when she was too ill to leave the house, and this opened the doors to her spiritual journey, which would lead her safely home.
The stories I have shared are some of the very real places in my life I have encountered God… Why? Because He is near the broken hearted, the misunderstood, the forgotten, the poor, the grieving, the lonely, the marginalized, the wounded, the ill, those struggling for answers. When I am near them I feel the closest to Him. AIDS is a devastating illness, a gaping wound across the face of our planet that festers with injustice, poverty, loss, disease, discrimination and gender inequality. It leaves a trail of broken dreams, hearts, lives, families and communities. It tests the church’s stand on compassion…do we do what we preach? In all the years I have been involved in hospice ministry I’ve never seen anyone, guilted, shamed, blamed or hated into the kingdom, but always loved. Love is not just a heartfelt emotion – it is the conviction to get involved. Do you remember the story of the Good Samaritan in the gospel of Luke, where an expert in the law approached Jesus and inquired how he could be assured of eternal life? Jesus replied… “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and your neighbour as yourself.” The lawyer was not satisfied and questioned Jesus further by asking “who exactly is my neigbour?” Jesus responded with the story of the Good Samaritan. Allow me to paraphrase . . . A man was walking along the road from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of thieves who beat him savagely, stole all his money and clothes and left him helpless to die in a puddle of blood. Two religious leaders simultaneously walked by and saw the man, but ignored his plight. Perhaps their religious reputations were on the line, or they didn’t want to be inconvenienced, or they were just simply indifferent or in a hurry. Then along came a Samaritan who saw this wounded man…he was moved with compassion and stopped to help. Jesus, upon completing the parable turned to the lawyer and asked who was the neigbour? The lawyer confessed it was the Samaritan…the one who showed compassion, who didn’t just express pity, cry a few tears, but rather got involved.
What’s interesting about this parable is we are told nothing about the guy lying half dead in the puddle of blood. We don’t know what beliefs he held…his views on religion, gay marriage, war in Iraq, abortion, euthanasia….etc. All we know is what Jesus makes clear to us…the initiative to reach out is up to us who have the ability to help the person who is hurting. We cannot judge someone and then label them and then determine by our comfort level with that label, how we will treat or ignore them. We are called to love everyone. We all have different gifts, but love is available to all and commanded to be expressed by all who call themselves children of God. Love is the demonstration of God’s kingdom in action through His church…His church in action! People, regardless of who they are or where they have come from, are candidates for God’s mercy and love, just as we were. We don’t know what road has led people to where they are today, only God knows – that’s why judging is up to him. We are not called to separate the wheat from the weeds, that’s God job. But we are called to see the image of God in every human being. No one is beyond His loving reach.
I have seen Jesus many times in the faces of the people I’ve had the privilege of journeying with. Do you want to be closer to God? Get involved where He is already at work. Do you want to find life and life more abundantly? Begin to give love away. All that is not given, in the end is lost. “Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in or needing clothes and clothed you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me.’”
God has so loved us and demonstrated his mercy and forgiveness towards us. How can we not freely share such a wonderful love with others? God is love and that is the mark of those who believe in Him. The world will not know we are Christians by the size of churches, style of worship, theological distinctives, preaching or colourful bulletins . . . they will know we are Christians by our LOVE.
Mother Teresa said: “I am but a small pencil in the hand of a writing God sending a love letter to the world.” What does God want to write through your life? Don’t leave the page blank.
“At last I know I have the love of my creator.”
Rev. Rauni Salminen is the Executive Director of the Philip Aziz Centre.
www.philipazizcentre.ca
He was dying, fearful of what was next, scrambling through his jumbled thoughts to make sense out of his diagnosis, and what his life had been all about. His heart was heavy as he questioned the existence of God and the afterlife, and then troubled at the thought of it all being real. Like many people facing a life-threatening diagnosis he began a spiritual journey that one Sunday morning led him to a small church, one he had often passed by without a second glance. He was desperate to obtain some peace for his troubled soul. Week after week he returned to the same church finding a momentary reprieve in the midst of the music and preaching, from his fears and anxiety.
One Sunday he conjured up enough courage to approach the pastor. Nervously he disclosed his HIV status, knowing from the past the negative repercussions it could have. This time though instead of being questioned about how he contracted HIV, the pastor with a sincere expression thanked him for trusting him with this painful secret and assured him that he was welcome in the church and that he would no longer have to journey alone. The pastor and this small congregation crossed over the barriers of fear, ignorance and prejudice, and instead demonstrated God’s love and compassion to a man dying of AIDS. This one act of compassion seeded the beginnings of the hospice I now direct, (Philip Aziz Centre), which over the past 11 years has served hundreds of people like this man, Philip, helping to make a difficult life journey more manageable and meaningful.
I recall joining the team of Board members and the Director to start the Centre from a small endowment Philip had entrusted to the church, with the request that they would continue to unconditionally reach out and support people living with HIV, like himself. At the time we began, HIV was predominantly affecting the gay community in Toronto and I struggled about how this small Christian organization could reach out to them genuinely and compassionately, and be trusted. We slowly built relationships with other AIDS service agencies and hospices, learning from their experiences as well as informing them of our endeavours. We recruited and trained volunteers and developed our hospice programs. Serving with excellence and compassion was our objective. We set up a spiritual care program to support others like Philip who needed to talk with someone about their spiritual concerns; someone who would listen without judging, preaching or moralizing. Compassion, education, a wash cloth and basin were our ministry tools and means by which we demonstrated God’s love for people. Philip Aziz, before he died, found the peaceful place in his life he had sought and said goodbye to the world with these passing words…. “at last I know I have the love of my creator.” Over the years I have heard those words spoken, cried, prayed and shouted in various ways from countless precious people who have experienced God’s love through the hospice services provided by our volunteers and staff.
“No one should die alone,” were the convicting words spoken by a young man I had the privilege of journeying with near the end of his life. This man was blessed with the support of family, close friends and hospice volunteers, who stayed by him throughout his battle with AIDS. But sadness and frustration invaded his voice one day when he recalled to me the situation his friends back home faced…they too had AIDS but were silenced by the fear of discrimination that only brought with it isolation, judgment and shame. Following his death, I visited this region of the world and was confronted by the painful truth of what this young man in Canada had shared with me. There I met a teenage transsexual living with AIDS who was ostracized by his family, because of sexuality. When I inquired about his support system, who was there for him….he shuffled and stared disconcertedly. His confusion grew when I pressed him further about spiritual care, wondering if he had struggled with the tough questions or thought of seeking out some of his religious leaders for direction. He laughed sarcastically. “I could never talk with them…look at me. I’m a reject (outcast) for them. Trash!” “That’s what they call people like me. I already feel bad enough – why would I go to them to feel worse?” Overwhelmed by his obvious pain, I blurted out: “Trash? No. God does not create trash.” I then began to share with him what I believed about God. “God does not breathe life into trash, but rather into human beings made in His own image, which you are. Life has purpose and meaning. You were created to be loved and to reciprocate that love.” Tears filled the young man’s eyes as he listened to my words about a God who loved him and understood his pain and confusion. His sad expression changed as he suddenly realized what this meant…he was not alone…nor would he die alone and unloved, even though those who had loved him, had walked away.
As I left, I was challenged in my own heart, and wondered what message I send people through my words, deeds, looks or indifference . . . what message does my Christian community send to people who feel ostracized, different, marginalized, or just unfamiliar , uncertain or skeptical about the church? Do I have hidden prejudices that cause me to judge people, instead of freely demonstrating respect and God’s love towards them? Mother Teresa said, “You can’t love those who you’ve already judged..” Judgment builds barriers, love alone will build bridges.
At first glance, she was not unlike any other girl her age; energetic, playing with friends and Barbie’s, laughing and dreaming about all the things she wanted to do when she grew up. If you looked closer however, you would notice a sadness in her eyes that disguised the pain of a secret she guarded with her life. Her mother had warned her that if her friends ever discovered her secret they would never play with her again. This little girl has AIDS. Her father and several other family members back in her home country have died because of it. I remember the day her mother and I sat together and she told her young daughter that the two of them had AIDS. She cried at first and then asked me if we could pray that God would not let them die until there was a cure. She is in high school now, knows her illness does not define who she is or devalue her worth and with this positive attitude she assists us in our hospice by helping other children in her predicament.
Her eyes were welled with tears, and through the sobs she tried to speak clearly though her English was weak…I strained to hear her as her words were directed downward and noticed how she was nervously trying to stop her hands from trembling by clasping them together on her lap. I touched her hands and smiled, assuring her that it was okay to talk and her story would be kept in confidence. She had carried the pain and secrets alone too long. This was the first time she felt she could talk to someone.
She began by expressing her thankfulness to God for allowing her to come to Canada, where she now had the opportunity to start a new life with hope for her children’s future. The journey to get here had been long and torturous, but now was her chance for happiness, security, freedom and health. However, lately her hopeful attitude had been interrupted by horrific images of her past, nightmares to which she could only helplessly respond to with tears. No matter how intentionally she repressed the memories, they erupted without warning and stirred a simmering anger just beneath her skin. Her nurse had called our hospice for support, recognizing that this woman was in spiritual distress and needed to talk.
I sat in a tattered chair across from her in a tiny, sparsely furnished basement apartment which she shared with her two teenage sons. After the small talk she opened up and began to share about her late husband, whom she missed dearly, and the horror she felt when she witnessed his murder. She confessed that only God could have helped her escape from the hands of her husbands murderers who took her as a slave for six months and left her with AIDS. She then stopped mid sentence, as if feeling guilty for the anger she felt towards these people and God, to say again how thankful she was to God for getting her out. After all it was God who gave her strength to endure the slavery, torture, physical and emotional pain. Then she started to cry….and asked sheepishly, “Why?” The fact she had any faith left astounded me. I wonder where I would be at if I had to endure such humiliation, pain and loss. Her faith had been challenged to the core, but she was still hanging on by a thread. Anger, guilt and sadness intermittently overwhelmed her and attacked the faith she had left. She didn’t want to lose her faith; it was the one thing she had left to hang onto from home, besides her children. I listened, careful not to offer a lame pat answer that would only shut her down or belittle her present struggle to make sense out of her past.
She lay in her bed reaching for the tray of McDonald’s food I had just picked up for her. It was her favourite. She lived alone in her apartment. It was a nicely decorated place, pictures of her daughters and her amateur paintings hung prominently on the walls. She had come a long way from the crack house where I first met her. Her daughters rarely visited, except to borrow money. She blamed herself, understanding their anger towards her as she had not been the mother they needed and had surrendered care of them to Children’s Aid when unable to nurture them or herself. She never had a real mother herself. Her only family had become the few volunteers from the hospice who visited weekly and an old friend who seemed to be more concerned with what he could take rather than what he could give her. Tossing back her thinning hair, a smile lit across her sunken cheeks as she boldly and with conviction said, “I know I’m beautiful, because God loves me. I don’t hate so much anymore, but my only regret is that my daughters won’t give me this one more chance to see I’ve changed…I want them to know I love them and pray for them. I guess I’ve conned them too many times that they’re tired of me crying wolf.” She asked me to pray that they would one day forgive her. She showed me a diary filled with letters she had written them, and asked that we make sure they get them at her funeral. It wasn’t always this way…..this young woman who was peacefully waiting for God was once a bitter, angry, violent and vengeful person. She was forced by her mother to go on the streets at 12 years old and there learned all the tricks for survival. She grew up hating and distrusting everyone – even herself. Her mother and the men she met told her she was trash, so she began to believe it and treated others the same. She had beat everything and everyone that got in her way, but against AIDS she was powerless. No amount of manipulation or drugs would make it go away. God softened this woman’s heart through the hospice volunteers who faithfully visited her when she was too ill to leave the house, and this opened the doors to her spiritual journey, which would lead her safely home.
The stories I have shared are some of the very real places in my life I have encountered God… Why? Because He is near the broken hearted, the misunderstood, the forgotten, the poor, the grieving, the lonely, the marginalized, the wounded, the ill, those struggling for answers. When I am near them I feel the closest to Him. AIDS is a devastating illness, a gaping wound across the face of our planet that festers with injustice, poverty, loss, disease, discrimination and gender inequality. It leaves a trail of broken dreams, hearts, lives, families and communities. It tests the church’s stand on compassion…do we do what we preach? In all the years I have been involved in hospice ministry I’ve never seen anyone, guilted, shamed, blamed or hated into the kingdom, but always loved. Love is not just a heartfelt emotion – it is the conviction to get involved. Do you remember the story of the Good Samaritan in the gospel of Luke, where an expert in the law approached Jesus and inquired how he could be assured of eternal life? Jesus replied… “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and your neighbour as yourself.” The lawyer was not satisfied and questioned Jesus further by asking “who exactly is my neigbour?” Jesus responded with the story of the Good Samaritan. Allow me to paraphrase . . . A man was walking along the road from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of thieves who beat him savagely, stole all his money and clothes and left him helpless to die in a puddle of blood. Two religious leaders simultaneously walked by and saw the man, but ignored his plight. Perhaps their religious reputations were on the line, or they didn’t want to be inconvenienced, or they were just simply indifferent or in a hurry. Then along came a Samaritan who saw this wounded man…he was moved with compassion and stopped to help. Jesus, upon completing the parable turned to the lawyer and asked who was the neigbour? The lawyer confessed it was the Samaritan…the one who showed compassion, who didn’t just express pity, cry a few tears, but rather got involved.
What’s interesting about this parable is we are told nothing about the guy lying half dead in the puddle of blood. We don’t know what beliefs he held…his views on religion, gay marriage, war in Iraq, abortion, euthanasia….etc. All we know is what Jesus makes clear to us…the initiative to reach out is up to us who have the ability to help the person who is hurting. We cannot judge someone and then label them and then determine by our comfort level with that label, how we will treat or ignore them. We are called to love everyone. We all have different gifts, but love is available to all and commanded to be expressed by all who call themselves children of God. Love is the demonstration of God’s kingdom in action through His church…His church in action! People, regardless of who they are or where they have come from, are candidates for God’s mercy and love, just as we were. We don’t know what road has led people to where they are today, only God knows – that’s why judging is up to him. We are not called to separate the wheat from the weeds, that’s God job. But we are called to see the image of God in every human being. No one is beyond His loving reach.
I have seen Jesus many times in the faces of the people I’ve had the privilege of journeying with. Do you want to be closer to God? Get involved where He is already at work. Do you want to find life and life more abundantly? Begin to give love away. All that is not given, in the end is lost. “Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in or needing clothes and clothed you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me.’”
God has so loved us and demonstrated his mercy and forgiveness towards us. How can we not freely share such a wonderful love with others? God is love and that is the mark of those who believe in Him. The world will not know we are Christians by the size of churches, style of worship, theological distinctives, preaching or colourful bulletins . . . they will know we are Christians by our LOVE.
Mother Teresa said: “I am but a small pencil in the hand of a writing God sending a love letter to the world.” What does God want to write through your life? Don’t leave the page blank.
“At last I know I have the love of my creator.”
Rev. Rauni Salminen is the Executive Director of the Philip Aziz Centre.
www.philipazizcentre.ca
Hints for contributing a letter
Council debates application for gay pride parade…
Statistics show increase in abortions in health region…
More couples choose cohabitation over marriage…
Statistics show increase in abortions in health region…
More couples choose cohabitation over marriage…
These are examples of headlines that could run in any newspaper across our country.
They are headlines that as Christian, we know address not only media items, but matters of morality — matters of faith.
But could we do more than merely respond to those media items with a shake of the head or perhaps a quick comment to a family member? I’d like to challenge us to do so.
As the editor of a small daily newspaper, I am the one who sorts through the letters to the editor, prepares them for print and sees them placed on the layout.
My community, like every other Canadian city or town, has social issues that we struggle to address.
But I almost never get letters on these issues from Christians. And when I do, they are often combative, long and difficult to mold to the space we have in a newspaper.I would love to see this change — to see our positions being shared as part of the public forum.
Here are some hints for contributing a letter:• Read the newspaper’s guidelines for submissions to the editor and follow them.
• Keep your message simple. It is not likely you will be writing the definitive statement on a heated issue like gay marriage or abortion. But you can make an important contribution with a well crafted, carefully thought out statement.
• Use a kind, respectful tone. It is easy to feel outraged and to write with a quality of anger. But I have found a letter that seems to be lashing out is easily disregarded by opponents and less-convinced observers.
• Don’t assume the newspaper will not welcome your letter because it is from an Evangelical or Christian perspective. I get calls from people who make this assumption on a regular basis. Some of them are downright rude. Most editors want to run strong letters from a variety of viewpoints.
• Pray that God will guide you as you write and give you the strength and courage to speak out in this way.
There are, thankfully, some Christians who step forward to interact with my newspaper. There is one local pastor who regularly writes a column that is accessible, full of down-to-earth examples and has a clear sense of grace. And when a young columnist wrote a column about how life can feel hopeless at times, one wonderful Christian woman sent him an email inviting him to church.
These cases keep me encouraged.
It’s not easy to step forward and open ourselves — and our faith — up to scrutiny and criticism. But I believe we have an important truth to share with others in our communities in our newspapers. Don’t fear picking up a pen or sending off an e-mail.
Heather Persson is the Managing Editor of the Prince Albert Daily Herald in Saskatchewan.
Giving more can cost less than you think
The following article has been adapted with permission from the February 2006 Canadian National Christian Foundation (CNCF) monthly e-Newsletter.
One of the simplest ways of supporting ministries and charities while we live is to give gifts of cash or investments. Although this may be an easy way to give your tithe or other gifts, there are definitely efficient and effective ways of accomplishing this; some of which may be new to you. Following are some suggestions about which you may wish to speak with your financial advisor.
Giving Cash Gifts
For the purpose of receiving a tax credit, a donor may make a cash gift of up to 75% of the donor’s annual income. The resulting tax credit may reduce federal and provincial tax by as much as $500 for each $1,000 donation. The tax credit may be used against tax payable in the year of the donation, or in any of the following five years. In the year of death and in the year preceding death, the gift may be up to 100% of the donor’s income. An estate may also apply to recover tax paid in the year preceding death.
Giving Non-Cash Gifts
A public foundation can receive non-cash donations, including shares of both private and public corporations. Gifts of publicly traded shares made to a public foundation result in a significantly better tax credit than would the same gift if made to a private foundation. Gifts of shares of private companies made to private foundations are so legally complex that they rarely make sense; however, the same shares can be given to a public foundation with much less complexity.
When non-cash gifts are given to a public foundation, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) deems that the donor has disposed of the property at the time of the donation. The donor may have a capital gain on the property if its value at the time of donation exceeds its value at the time the donor acquired it. Normally, 50% of the capital gain must be treated as taxable income, even if the donation was given to a private foundation. However, if publicly traded shares are donated to a public foundation then only 25% of the capital gain will be treated as taxable income.
By way of example, assume a donor (with a marginal tax rate of 50%) has publicly-traded shares with a fair market value of $50,000 and an original cost of $10,000. The donor will have a taxable capital gain of $40,000 upon either the donation or sale of the shares. However, the gain subject to tax will be less if the shares are donated to a public foundation than if the shares are sold and the cash proceeds are donated.
In the case of the sale of the shares, 50% of the capital gain will be taxable to the donor ($20,000*). In the case of donation of the shares to a public foundation, 25% of the capital gain is taxable to the donor ($10,000*). Taxation on the sale therefore at his/her 50% marginal tax rate will cost the donor $10,000*. Taxation on the donation of the shares will cost only $5,000, yielding a savings of $5,000*. The $5,000 tax advantage would not arise if the shares were donated directly to a private foundation.
The Canadian National Christian Foundation as well as The Free Methodist Foundation in Canada are both public foundations that can accept gifts of shares and provide donors with the tax savings as outlined above. For more information about the donation of shares or other planned giving options, please contact the Stewardship Ministries and the Free Methodist Foundation at http://www.fmc-canada.org/ or the Canadian National Christian Foundation at www.cncf.ca.
If you are looking for a Christian financial advisor, you can contact the Canadian National Christian Foundation. Through their Advisors with Purpose program they can connect you with an advisor in your area.
*actual amount depends upon tax bracket and province of residence.
Joanne Bell, Stewardship Director for The Free Methodist Church in Canada.
Our Mission equals God's Mission
Do you know what the stated dream/goal/vision of The Free Methodist Church in Canada is? It’s “To See a Healthy Church within the Reach of All Canadians and Beyond.” We’ve been using that tiny little sentence for many years now. It’s on our website. It’s on some of our stationery and letterhead. It’s referred to in the talks that we in the National Leadership Team give in local churches. I’m even thinking of having Cindy Gibson cross stitch it into a laptop cover for my iBook.
Have you ever stopped to consider the significance of that sentence? In a lot of organizations a mission statement like that is merely the product of reading one too many business books on the power of vision statements. Vision statements can be the result of a General Conference “make-work” project, a marketing campaign, or a bit of branding. Sentences like that are often easily forgotten. But it seems that God has something more important in mind with our little sentence. As a result I think we should have something more important in mind too. Here is what we are noticing, in all the departments at the Ministry Centre, that led us to believe that God has every intention of helping move us toward our goal/dream/vision…
We have an unprecedented number of new pastors on track toward ordination. This has been going on for two years. At this point it’s too early to tell if it’s a just a blip or a trend. Either way MEGaP(the group that oversees our pastors) has never been so busy. This year and next they will be at their limit interviewing and guiding these new pastors. This size of group is all on a scale that we haven’t seen in recent memory or perhaps ever in Canadian history. So, what does God have in mind for this group of men and women? What are they all being trained to do? What new vision and abilities will they be bringing to the table?
We are seeing a developing ability to respond to the diversity of Canada. Thanks to the openness of existing churches and the planting of new kinds of churches, Canadians from all walks of life, from all income levels, and from all parts of the globe are finding a home among us. This is not the result of some well planned strategic movements drafted at the Ministry Centre (although we do work for this kind of stuff). These people, projects, and plants are working from a vision that God gave them — a vision that is in complete harmony with that little sentence. If this trend of openness and effective cultural response continues it will change the face of our denomination. Imagine a General Conference in the future where all the cultures of Canada are represented. When we wrote that sentence this was a dream few dared believe in. If this keeps up, in a few years it could be a reality.
We are seeing deeper, more personal, and lasting connections to projects and people beyond Canada’s borders. Churches have increased their giving of money, time, and energy to overseas projects. What increased role is God preparing us to play in the wider world?
Whether we expected it or believed it ourselves, God is working with us to accomplish what we wrote down in that tiny little sentence. His response to us has been so overwhelming that it begs a new response from us. In response to God we are going to need: bigger dreams (we need to have something inspiring for all those new pastors to do), increased prayer support (join others across the country as the Bishop leads us in fasting and prayer), more courageous giving (last year we had less than half of what was needed by our new churches), and to live fearlessly devoted lives as we participate in God’s mission to Canada. If God was able to accomplish all he has in recent history with a sentence and the openness of our hearts… imagine what he could do with the rest of us!
Jared Siebert is the Director of Growth Ministries for The Free Methodist Church in Canada. For more information on church planting initiatives visitwww.lifecycleproject.org
Have you ever stopped to consider the significance of that sentence? In a lot of organizations a mission statement like that is merely the product of reading one too many business books on the power of vision statements. Vision statements can be the result of a General Conference “make-work” project, a marketing campaign, or a bit of branding. Sentences like that are often easily forgotten. But it seems that God has something more important in mind with our little sentence. As a result I think we should have something more important in mind too. Here is what we are noticing, in all the departments at the Ministry Centre, that led us to believe that God has every intention of helping move us toward our goal/dream/vision…
We have an unprecedented number of new pastors on track toward ordination. This has been going on for two years. At this point it’s too early to tell if it’s a just a blip or a trend. Either way MEGaP(the group that oversees our pastors) has never been so busy. This year and next they will be at their limit interviewing and guiding these new pastors. This size of group is all on a scale that we haven’t seen in recent memory or perhaps ever in Canadian history. So, what does God have in mind for this group of men and women? What are they all being trained to do? What new vision and abilities will they be bringing to the table?
We are seeing a developing ability to respond to the diversity of Canada. Thanks to the openness of existing churches and the planting of new kinds of churches, Canadians from all walks of life, from all income levels, and from all parts of the globe are finding a home among us. This is not the result of some well planned strategic movements drafted at the Ministry Centre (although we do work for this kind of stuff). These people, projects, and plants are working from a vision that God gave them — a vision that is in complete harmony with that little sentence. If this trend of openness and effective cultural response continues it will change the face of our denomination. Imagine a General Conference in the future where all the cultures of Canada are represented. When we wrote that sentence this was a dream few dared believe in. If this keeps up, in a few years it could be a reality.
We are seeing deeper, more personal, and lasting connections to projects and people beyond Canada’s borders. Churches have increased their giving of money, time, and energy to overseas projects. What increased role is God preparing us to play in the wider world?
Whether we expected it or believed it ourselves, God is working with us to accomplish what we wrote down in that tiny little sentence. His response to us has been so overwhelming that it begs a new response from us. In response to God we are going to need: bigger dreams (we need to have something inspiring for all those new pastors to do), increased prayer support (join others across the country as the Bishop leads us in fasting and prayer), more courageous giving (last year we had less than half of what was needed by our new churches), and to live fearlessly devoted lives as we participate in God’s mission to Canada. If God was able to accomplish all he has in recent history with a sentence and the openness of our hearts… imagine what he could do with the rest of us!
Jared Siebert is the Director of Growth Ministries for The Free Methodist Church in Canada. For more information on church planting initiatives visitwww.lifecycleproject.org
Tax collectors, outcasts and prostitutes . . . what was Jesus thinking?
“Later Jesus and his disciples were at home having supper with a collection of disreputable guests. Unlikely as it seems, more than a few of them had become followers. The religion scholars and Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company and lit into his disciples: ‘What kind of example is this, acting cozy with the riffraff?’” Mark 2:15-16, The Message
What a reputation Jesus was earning for Himself! Jesus begins his public ministry and sets his own standard for us to follow – a new hands-on approach. His response to the “social issues” of his day was in direct contrast to the “norm” which the Pharisees had established.
The word reputation is defined as, “the general estimation that the public has for a person.” It is a judgment of how we see people behaving – it reflects outward behaviour. Jesus’ whole message to us primarily involves our inner selves – the lives we live when no one is looking, or in another words, Jesus calls us to a life of integrity. Integrity is described as having moral soundness – it comprises the personal inner sense of “wholeness” deriving from honesty and consistent uprightness of character.
I believe that Jesus did not care about his reputation (which could be described as scandalous) – his concern was for the souls of those around him, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting the sin-sick, not the spiritually-fit.” Mark 2:17, The Message
The second sentence in the opening passage intrigues me, “Unlikely as it seems, more than a few of them had become followers.” I think it is safe to assume that some of these guests had not become followers, but just enjoyed being around Jesus. I don’t believe that Jesus treated them any differently from the others who were gathered. He continued to extend the Kingdom of God by being among them and accepting them without requiring that they clean up their lives first.
Jesus was showing us, through his own example, how to be light in very dark places. That is what this issue of the MOSAIC focuses on – expanding our circles of influence in order to share the love of Christ unconditionally with others.
Lisa Howden, Managing Editor
What a reputation Jesus was earning for Himself! Jesus begins his public ministry and sets his own standard for us to follow – a new hands-on approach. His response to the “social issues” of his day was in direct contrast to the “norm” which the Pharisees had established.
The word reputation is defined as, “the general estimation that the public has for a person.” It is a judgment of how we see people behaving – it reflects outward behaviour. Jesus’ whole message to us primarily involves our inner selves – the lives we live when no one is looking, or in another words, Jesus calls us to a life of integrity. Integrity is described as having moral soundness – it comprises the personal inner sense of “wholeness” deriving from honesty and consistent uprightness of character.
I believe that Jesus did not care about his reputation (which could be described as scandalous) – his concern was for the souls of those around him, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting the sin-sick, not the spiritually-fit.” Mark 2:17, The Message
The second sentence in the opening passage intrigues me, “Unlikely as it seems, more than a few of them had become followers.” I think it is safe to assume that some of these guests had not become followers, but just enjoyed being around Jesus. I don’t believe that Jesus treated them any differently from the others who were gathered. He continued to extend the Kingdom of God by being among them and accepting them without requiring that they clean up their lives first.
Jesus was showing us, through his own example, how to be light in very dark places. That is what this issue of the MOSAIC focuses on – expanding our circles of influence in order to share the love of Christ unconditionally with others.
Lisa Howden, Managing Editor
What if Jesus were mayor and board chair
“What would Jesus do if he were mayor?” is the central question of a book I am reading by Bob Moffitt, entitled If Jesus Were Mayor. Moffitt also puts the question another way, “What would happen if next Monday morning starting at 9:00 a.m., everyone in our community started to live as God intends?”
“Not gonna happen? No point in talking about such foolishness? What’s the point of asking a question like that?” I agree that at first I found the question a little off-putting, but the longer I think about it, the more it gives me perspective for thinking about some biblical passages that routinely disturb me. More about those later, but first let me tell you a story.
Last month when I was in British Columbia, I met Ben Deyo’s parents, Rob and Debbie; and we talked about the adventure that their family, in fact, their whole church (New Heights Church, a FMC in Mission, B.C.) is on. After a season of wrestling with God, Ben, 19 years of age, had made up his mind and couldn’t be dissuaded. He was to leave his nice life at home, where he had become quite comfortable with his job and his new car, to live among the street people on East Hastings Street, the toughest neighbourhood in Vancouver. He knew that God had called him; he was sure of it!
At first, his parents, Pastor Greg and his friends all questioned his “call.” After all, East Hastings is a very rough neighbourhood. It was especially tough for Rob and Debbie, but as they talked and prayed, God gave them assurance that he was indeed calling their son. The following Sunday, Debbie told the church family that if we preach a radical gospel to our people, we have to expect that God might call one of our own. Then she added, “Maybe someone is praying specifically for someone like our son.”
The next day, Ben left on the train for Vancouver. He took only a sleeping bag and a warm coat (thinking he might be sleeping on the street), a cell phone (for the sake of his parents’ sanity) and the prayers of his family and church. He had a strange assurance that he’d know what to do when he got there and started by looking up the only contact he had – Community Builders, a Christian organization that he had heard helped “street people” find housing – and walked in and told them that God had called him to the area.
Can you imagine the director’s reaction? Galina listened to Ben’s story, but found it difficult to believe what she was hearing. So she asked for Ben’s pastor’s phone number to check him out. As it turned out, Ben’s father and the pastor just happened to be together when she called, so she was able to hear Ben’s story from both of them. She told them that she had been praying for someone like Ben who could help them with janitorial and maintenance responsibilities in the buildings where they house street people, but they did not have adequate resources to hire anyone. Then she said, “When we met Ben, it was as if all our prayers (on that topic) had been answered.” I believe it.
Not all of us will be called as Ben was, but his story and Bob Moffitt’s book challenge us to think seriously about themes in the scriptures that remind us of God’s concern to bring shalom (holy, wholesome, wholeness) to heal the brokenness of individuals, families, and communities.
Now, let’s consider some of those troubling passages – passages that were embraced wholeheartedly and lived out authentically by John Wesley (the founder of Methodism) and Benjamin Roberts (the first Free Methodist bishop). They prayed Jesus’ words, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” and didn’t just leave it there. They read the “salt and light” principles of personal and social holiness in Matthew 5-7; soberly understood Jesus’ warning that “not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven but only he who does the will of my father who is in heaven”; and influenced their movement to be people who were generous in spirit and worked, not only for the conversion of self-centered hearts, but also for the transformation of communities. (Those are two of the passages that disturb me.)
Bob Moffitt asks in his book, “What is God’s role for the church? What contribution is the church to make to the society in which God places it? Is it primarily to bring the lost to Christ? Is it to instruct and encourage believers in spiritual discipleship? Is it to advocate for the vulnerable of society, minister to suffering humanity, or to address the social injustices that God abhors? Or does the church have a broad purpose that begins with spiritual salvation but continues on to transform its culture?”
A few pages later, he gives a summary answer to his question: “God’s strategy is for both proclamation – and demonstration – of the Good News” – an answer that I am pondering in light of The Free Methodist Church in Canada’s vision of healthy churches.
This brings me to a third disturbing passage – Matthew 25:31-46. We all know the passage is there. We know that the sheep are separated from the goats – sheep on the right and goats on the left. We all know that God blesses those who feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, love and accept the stranger, clothe the destitute, and give compassionate attention to the sick and imprisoned. We also note that Jesus, in essence, tells people to “go to hell” who are indifferent to the plight of the poor and oppressed. And one can almost hear the protests of people, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, drive out demons…perform many miracles….” (Matthew 7:21-23). But Jesus calls them “evil doers” and summarily dismisses them!
What intrigues me is that I cannot think of any parallel passage of judgment and condemnation around the issue of gospel proclamation (witnessing, discipling, church planting). No one is told that they are going to hell for not doing it, and this makes this passage on gospel demonstration even more disturbing! When you put it all together, it seems to me that “talk” (proclamation) is cheap if it is not preceded and followed by “compassionate attitudes and actions” (demonstration).
This is not new to us as Methodists. There was no doubt that as an evangelist, John Wesley was “for” saving souls and “for” planting churches, but his mantra was also “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.”
I think that the Lord has something to say to us as The Free Methodist Church in Canada on the matter of recovering balance in our understanding of the gospel mandate. So, how about if we seriously take on this question as a movement: “What would happen if Jesus were mayor of your community, a member of your congregation, and chair of your official board?” How would he use his influence? Would you still want to be a member of your congregation if he was chair of the board?
Rev. Keith Elford is Bishop of The Free Methodist Church in Canada.
“Not gonna happen? No point in talking about such foolishness? What’s the point of asking a question like that?” I agree that at first I found the question a little off-putting, but the longer I think about it, the more it gives me perspective for thinking about some biblical passages that routinely disturb me. More about those later, but first let me tell you a story.
Last month when I was in British Columbia, I met Ben Deyo’s parents, Rob and Debbie; and we talked about the adventure that their family, in fact, their whole church (New Heights Church, a FMC in Mission, B.C.) is on. After a season of wrestling with God, Ben, 19 years of age, had made up his mind and couldn’t be dissuaded. He was to leave his nice life at home, where he had become quite comfortable with his job and his new car, to live among the street people on East Hastings Street, the toughest neighbourhood in Vancouver. He knew that God had called him; he was sure of it!
At first, his parents, Pastor Greg and his friends all questioned his “call.” After all, East Hastings is a very rough neighbourhood. It was especially tough for Rob and Debbie, but as they talked and prayed, God gave them assurance that he was indeed calling their son. The following Sunday, Debbie told the church family that if we preach a radical gospel to our people, we have to expect that God might call one of our own. Then she added, “Maybe someone is praying specifically for someone like our son.”
The next day, Ben left on the train for Vancouver. He took only a sleeping bag and a warm coat (thinking he might be sleeping on the street), a cell phone (for the sake of his parents’ sanity) and the prayers of his family and church. He had a strange assurance that he’d know what to do when he got there and started by looking up the only contact he had – Community Builders, a Christian organization that he had heard helped “street people” find housing – and walked in and told them that God had called him to the area.
Can you imagine the director’s reaction? Galina listened to Ben’s story, but found it difficult to believe what she was hearing. So she asked for Ben’s pastor’s phone number to check him out. As it turned out, Ben’s father and the pastor just happened to be together when she called, so she was able to hear Ben’s story from both of them. She told them that she had been praying for someone like Ben who could help them with janitorial and maintenance responsibilities in the buildings where they house street people, but they did not have adequate resources to hire anyone. Then she said, “When we met Ben, it was as if all our prayers (on that topic) had been answered.” I believe it.
Not all of us will be called as Ben was, but his story and Bob Moffitt’s book challenge us to think seriously about themes in the scriptures that remind us of God’s concern to bring shalom (holy, wholesome, wholeness) to heal the brokenness of individuals, families, and communities.
Now, let’s consider some of those troubling passages – passages that were embraced wholeheartedly and lived out authentically by John Wesley (the founder of Methodism) and Benjamin Roberts (the first Free Methodist bishop). They prayed Jesus’ words, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” and didn’t just leave it there. They read the “salt and light” principles of personal and social holiness in Matthew 5-7; soberly understood Jesus’ warning that “not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven but only he who does the will of my father who is in heaven”; and influenced their movement to be people who were generous in spirit and worked, not only for the conversion of self-centered hearts, but also for the transformation of communities. (Those are two of the passages that disturb me.)
Bob Moffitt asks in his book, “What is God’s role for the church? What contribution is the church to make to the society in which God places it? Is it primarily to bring the lost to Christ? Is it to instruct and encourage believers in spiritual discipleship? Is it to advocate for the vulnerable of society, minister to suffering humanity, or to address the social injustices that God abhors? Or does the church have a broad purpose that begins with spiritual salvation but continues on to transform its culture?”
A few pages later, he gives a summary answer to his question: “God’s strategy is for both proclamation – and demonstration – of the Good News” – an answer that I am pondering in light of The Free Methodist Church in Canada’s vision of healthy churches.
This brings me to a third disturbing passage – Matthew 25:31-46. We all know the passage is there. We know that the sheep are separated from the goats – sheep on the right and goats on the left. We all know that God blesses those who feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, love and accept the stranger, clothe the destitute, and give compassionate attention to the sick and imprisoned. We also note that Jesus, in essence, tells people to “go to hell” who are indifferent to the plight of the poor and oppressed. And one can almost hear the protests of people, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, drive out demons…perform many miracles….” (Matthew 7:21-23). But Jesus calls them “evil doers” and summarily dismisses them!
What intrigues me is that I cannot think of any parallel passage of judgment and condemnation around the issue of gospel proclamation (witnessing, discipling, church planting). No one is told that they are going to hell for not doing it, and this makes this passage on gospel demonstration even more disturbing! When you put it all together, it seems to me that “talk” (proclamation) is cheap if it is not preceded and followed by “compassionate attitudes and actions” (demonstration).
This is not new to us as Methodists. There was no doubt that as an evangelist, John Wesley was “for” saving souls and “for” planting churches, but his mantra was also “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.”
I think that the Lord has something to say to us as The Free Methodist Church in Canada on the matter of recovering balance in our understanding of the gospel mandate. So, how about if we seriously take on this question as a movement: “What would happen if Jesus were mayor of your community, a member of your congregation, and chair of your official board?” How would he use his influence? Would you still want to be a member of your congregation if he was chair of the board?
Rev. Keith Elford is Bishop of The Free Methodist Church in Canada.
Monday, February 05, 2007
A delay is not a denial
WHEN GOD? WHEN EXACTLY? WHEN?
If your plans are postponed, or hindered for a time, even if your plans are coming to pass but very slowly, or they get stopped altogether - these can all be classified as delays. Perhaps you have been thinking . . . “I have waited for days; weeks; months and even years . . . it seems as if I have been waiting forever!”
“Where are you Father the maker of heaven and earth? Where are you Abba - while l am searching for you day and night and cannot find you? I am now getting discouraged, disappointed, and growing weary. Where exactly can I find you Jesus so that you can answer my prayers?”
One morning after praying and crying out to God for help, l said these words. “Father, I am weary of living miserably as I have been. I am tired of crying day and night without getting any response from you. My tears have now become my food day and night. I have wrestled constantly with my own thoughts. Help me, oh God!” God spoke to me very clearly that morning, “A delay is not a denial. Things can never happen when you think they should, but in my own time.” I began to feel peace within me. My attitude immediately changed, my way of thinking changed too, and I knew that I had been demanding results from God, instead of asking. I was telling God the time that I wanted things to be done and how they should be done. This was very wrong, but thank God for revealing to me that we should not demand from God - instead we should ask and then wait for his response. We should always wait for his time and not our own.
THE WAITING PERIOD
It is difficult to wait for anything or for something, but if we truly know who we are in Christ and to whom we belong then the struggle becomes easy. Everyone finds themselves in waiting rooms from time to time. It maybe a doctor’s office, dentist’s office, you can wait in a queue in the bank too, or in a grocery store at the cashier’s desk. How about waiting at the airport, at the bus stop, you can even wait at a traffic light or when driving your own car. It is all about waiting, life is about waiting. If we are not patient enough to wait for the issues that we deal with in our every day life, how will it be possible to wait for God? I am not very patient in dealing with the delays in everyday life, and to be very honest, that is why it is difficult for me to wait on God. But God revealed to me that if I can not wait for the things that I see with my own eyes it will be difficult to develop patience when waiting for God’s plan to unfold. I did consider everything to be a delay, whereas now, I know, in Jesus Christ all these circumstances were being used to shape me - even if we don’t get what we want when we want it, if God has promised it - a delay is not a denial.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2,11 teaches us about the different kinds of seasons in a year and that there are also different kinds of seasons in our lives. Jesus Christ died once and for all he will never die again. There are certain things that happen in our lives that will never happen again. Once God opens his door for us then no one can close that door. In other words what we need is a breakthrough to be the people whom God created us to be. Joshua, in the book of 1 Kings 18:43, was promised that it was going to rain, but he was never told when. Joshua waited patiently, because he knew that if God says he can do something he will do it. Our God is a faithful God who will never lie to his children. So during our times of waiting we should always wait with joy, expecting that God will do what he said he will do.
YOUR ENVIROMENT
People around us play a very important role in our lives, especially if things are not going well for us. Being around negative people will make us disappointed, discouraged, and sometimes even cause us to give up on our dreams. Friends, family members, our church family even co-workers can sometimes mislead us - not intentionally, but unknowingly. If God has put a dream inside us we must be very careful to guard it. There is a lot of truth in this, David’s brother tried to mislead him, but he did not listen because he knew whom he was and what God wanted to do with his life. 1 Samuel 17:28 “When Eliab, David’s brother heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked? ‘Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is, you came down only to watch the battle.” People can discourage you. This is a very good lesson for us, there is nothing wrong with people advising us but we should be very careful not to lose our dreams.
NEVER GIVE UP
Our Lord God is the author of everything. He is the beginning and the ending. If he begins something in our lives he will make sure that whatever it is gets finished. Starting something for selfish reasons usually makes people give up before their goals are accomplished. Our true character can only be discovered by not giving up on our dreams. No matter how long it takes to make it, be patient and wait expecting that God will truly do what he said he will do. A delay is not a denial!
Let me encourage you. I have been there, I know what it is like; never ever give up on your dreams no matter how long it takes to get there. God is in control of our lives, so whatever we go through he knows everything about it, he knew us before we were even born. God has great plans for us, wonderful plans for his children to prosper. My dear brothers and sisters whatever delay you are facing in your life, it might be ongoing sickness, you might be searching for a job, you might be looking for a partner, I have good news for you . . . hang in there everything will be alright!
Written by Pasator Sandrah Mashingaidze, Assistant Pastor at Malvern Methodist Church - Toronto, Ontario.
If your plans are postponed, or hindered for a time, even if your plans are coming to pass but very slowly, or they get stopped altogether - these can all be classified as delays. Perhaps you have been thinking . . . “I have waited for days; weeks; months and even years . . . it seems as if I have been waiting forever!”
“Where are you Father the maker of heaven and earth? Where are you Abba - while l am searching for you day and night and cannot find you? I am now getting discouraged, disappointed, and growing weary. Where exactly can I find you Jesus so that you can answer my prayers?”
One morning after praying and crying out to God for help, l said these words. “Father, I am weary of living miserably as I have been. I am tired of crying day and night without getting any response from you. My tears have now become my food day and night. I have wrestled constantly with my own thoughts. Help me, oh God!” God spoke to me very clearly that morning, “A delay is not a denial. Things can never happen when you think they should, but in my own time.” I began to feel peace within me. My attitude immediately changed, my way of thinking changed too, and I knew that I had been demanding results from God, instead of asking. I was telling God the time that I wanted things to be done and how they should be done. This was very wrong, but thank God for revealing to me that we should not demand from God - instead we should ask and then wait for his response. We should always wait for his time and not our own.
THE WAITING PERIOD
It is difficult to wait for anything or for something, but if we truly know who we are in Christ and to whom we belong then the struggle becomes easy. Everyone finds themselves in waiting rooms from time to time. It maybe a doctor’s office, dentist’s office, you can wait in a queue in the bank too, or in a grocery store at the cashier’s desk. How about waiting at the airport, at the bus stop, you can even wait at a traffic light or when driving your own car. It is all about waiting, life is about waiting. If we are not patient enough to wait for the issues that we deal with in our every day life, how will it be possible to wait for God? I am not very patient in dealing with the delays in everyday life, and to be very honest, that is why it is difficult for me to wait on God. But God revealed to me that if I can not wait for the things that I see with my own eyes it will be difficult to develop patience when waiting for God’s plan to unfold. I did consider everything to be a delay, whereas now, I know, in Jesus Christ all these circumstances were being used to shape me - even if we don’t get what we want when we want it, if God has promised it - a delay is not a denial.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2,11 teaches us about the different kinds of seasons in a year and that there are also different kinds of seasons in our lives. Jesus Christ died once and for all he will never die again. There are certain things that happen in our lives that will never happen again. Once God opens his door for us then no one can close that door. In other words what we need is a breakthrough to be the people whom God created us to be. Joshua, in the book of 1 Kings 18:43, was promised that it was going to rain, but he was never told when. Joshua waited patiently, because he knew that if God says he can do something he will do it. Our God is a faithful God who will never lie to his children. So during our times of waiting we should always wait with joy, expecting that God will do what he said he will do.
YOUR ENVIROMENT
People around us play a very important role in our lives, especially if things are not going well for us. Being around negative people will make us disappointed, discouraged, and sometimes even cause us to give up on our dreams. Friends, family members, our church family even co-workers can sometimes mislead us - not intentionally, but unknowingly. If God has put a dream inside us we must be very careful to guard it. There is a lot of truth in this, David’s brother tried to mislead him, but he did not listen because he knew whom he was and what God wanted to do with his life. 1 Samuel 17:28 “When Eliab, David’s brother heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked? ‘Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is, you came down only to watch the battle.” People can discourage you. This is a very good lesson for us, there is nothing wrong with people advising us but we should be very careful not to lose our dreams.
NEVER GIVE UP
Our Lord God is the author of everything. He is the beginning and the ending. If he begins something in our lives he will make sure that whatever it is gets finished. Starting something for selfish reasons usually makes people give up before their goals are accomplished. Our true character can only be discovered by not giving up on our dreams. No matter how long it takes to make it, be patient and wait expecting that God will truly do what he said he will do. A delay is not a denial!
Let me encourage you. I have been there, I know what it is like; never ever give up on your dreams no matter how long it takes to get there. God is in control of our lives, so whatever we go through he knows everything about it, he knew us before we were even born. God has great plans for us, wonderful plans for his children to prosper. My dear brothers and sisters whatever delay you are facing in your life, it might be ongoing sickness, you might be searching for a job, you might be looking for a partner, I have good news for you . . . hang in there everything will be alright!
Written by Pasator Sandrah Mashingaidze, Assistant Pastor at Malvern Methodist Church - Toronto, Ontario.
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