Connections

Connecting to God’s Plan for Usby

David Willett Colwell

Leader’s Copy

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Copyright 2018 by David Colwell, 530 Columbia St. W, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The document contains material from Anglican sources as well as the author’s. It is my intent to transfer my copyright, including the poetry to the Anglican Church of Canada so that they can use the contents freely.

IBSN, Etc.: To be added if the document is to be published.

Acknowledgements:Many thanks to those who have shown interest and encouraged me along the way. A special thanks to my sister Carol Sears for her help in editing and to Archdeacon Greg Jenkins for his encouragement.

Foreword:This document illustrates the ways we can make connections with God’s Plan for us through ways to search the Bible, to understand what we read, and through prayer. It offers a simple exercise which contains poems written by the author to help focus how to express the topics we want to address.

Dedication:This book is dedicated to The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as it was their gift of writing that made this book possible.

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Table of ContentsTitle Page 1Copyright, Acknowledgements, Foreword and Dedication 2Table of Contents 3Prologue 4Introduction to Connections 7Section1: Reading the Bible 8

Finding Connections 8Using the Internet 8

The Bible itself 9Section 2: Understanding the Bible 10

Understanding the Teachings of Jesus 10Other Examples of the Meaning of the Gospel 11Your Church 11Your Christian Family 11

Section 3: The Need for Prayer 13Praying for the Disabled 13Praying for Your Enemies 14Praying for the Homeless 14Praying for Creation 15

Section 4: A Learning Project for Finding References 16Part 1 How to Follow Jesus 17 See God in everything 17 Trust in God always 19 Stand up for the poor and the vulnerable 21 Serve humbly 23 Share the faith 25Part 2 The Marks of Mission 27 To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom 27 To teach, baptize and nurture new believers 29 To respond to human need by loving service 31 To seek to transform unjust structures of society, 33

to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peaceand reconciliation

To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation 35and sustain and renew the life of the earth

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PrologueConnect Extend Build Capacity Accompany - A Strategy

for National Church Support of Vital & Healthy Parishes A Project of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada in partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

This is the title of a comprehensive document on improving the vitality and health of our churches. It is available in the internet, and the opening statement of the Strategy is an outline of an innovative and comprehensive approach. It is worth readi29 before looking at this document.

“The nurture of healthy congregations is not an end in itself. Fostering healthy congregations must be about much more than strengthening and growing churches. Faced with decades of numerical decline and the realization that we no longer reside at the cultural centre of most of our communities, we may be tempted to fashion programs or strategies that aim for little more than attracting people to our pews and coins to the coffers. However, years of experience have shown that the path to vitality does not wind across the terrain of ecclesial self-interest. Today’s need is not stepped-up efforts to buttress our institutions, but rather a renewed way of being church, one that contours lives in the way of discipleship, bringing people into a deeper relationship with God, one another, and the world around them. We do not need more vital churches for the sake of reversing membership decline, paying bills, or keeping open our buildings. We need vital congregations because they are where people’s lives are changed. Vital churches fulfill our vocation of being a sign, witness and foretaste of God’s Kingdom. Fidelity to this identity and vocation lies at the heart of the project described in this proposal.”The Strategy introduces a wealth of ideas as to how to support Vital and Healthy parishes. It continues by stating our vision of the kind of church we need:

“We long to be a church...

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... existing for the sake of others. Our God remains active in the world, already engaged in mission. It is the essence of the vibrant, faithful church to participate in this mission. ... patterned by a particular narrative. The Bible traces the story of a God who liberates people from every form of bondage, making the whole creation new. In the fullness of time, this God sent Christ Jesus to “shatter the chains of evil and death and banish the darkness of sin and despair.” As those buried with Christ in baptism so that we might walk in newness of life, it is the essence of the vibrant, faithful church to proclaim and embody this good news. ...inspired by a robust hope. In recent decades, renewed liturgical rites and theological reflection are recovering the notion that our actions of the present must be understood from the standpoint of God’s future. It is the essence of the vibrant, faithful church to act in the confidence that God’s promises will be fulfilled. ...dependent on God’s grace and one another. It is the presence of the risen Christ who breathes the Spirit on us that transforms a frightened and powerless church. It is in receiving the wisdom, gifts and service of its members that the whole Body of Christ is edified for witness and service. It is the essence of the vibrant, faithful church to depend on the work of the Holy Spirit in, through and around us. These longings are echoed in the guiding principles for both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC). The ELCIC’s mission statement reads: The mission of this church, as an expression of the universal Church and as an instrument of the Holy Spirit, is to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people in Canada and around the world, through the proclamation of the Word, the administration of the Sacraments and through service in Christ’s name. The four Vision Priorities through which the ELCIC is presently living out this mission are:

 Spirited Discipleship  Compassionate Justice  Healthy Church  Effective Partnerships

Within the Anglican Church of Canada, the Marks of Mission have brought a renewed focus on the mission of God active in the world, and the church’s responsibility in all places to discern and live into that mission. One of the strategic priorities of Vision 2019 specifically calls on the General Synod...

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to develop leadership education for mission, evangelism and ministry... to develop lay and ordained leaders who will lead vital, intergenerational congregations who will serve the mission of God in worship, learning, evangelism, and service.

Both Vision 2019, and, later, Embodying God’s Call (report from the National Consultation on Structures and Priorities), emphasize new ways of working that gather the gifts, wisdom, and resources found in the local church across the country, to better share, through the General Synod as convenor.”

The strategy recommends ways to introduce and develop new programs in the church. What will be needed is to find ways to bring to our churches actual programs that can be applied to our particular abilities and resources.

This document is intended to guide new and maturing Christians who want to get information and advice that they can apply to their lives. The book helps add to our educational program to help readers to connect to the Bible to find in God’s Word the gift to know that they are following Jesus’ teaching.

Connections also discusses the wealth of knowledge that can be gained from the church, from other Christians and through prayer.

It is intended to help new and developing Christian to become capable and committed disciples of Jesus who will support their church and its mission where their service is needed. The church depends on such members for the continuation of our services to the community.

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Introduction to ConnectionsThis document is intended to help new and maturing Christians connect

with God’s Plan; to make sure our thoughts, our beliefs, our values and our actions are founded on a solid understanding of God’s teachings in the Bible.

Christians are interested in the teachings of Jesus and the guidance of the other books of the New Testament, as well as the grounding of the Old Testament. They want to know and understand what they should base their lives on, what directions they should choose and what decisions they should make.

Some are new to this and need to know where to look. Even those who are very familiar with the Bible need to know how to access the advice that they seek, because they may remember what they have read, but have forgotten exactly where to look.

Readers of the Bible want to understand what is being said, and there are ways to do that while being careful not to misinterpret. They need to know where they can go for advice.

Connections proposes a program of prayer that asks members, including those who are unable to access our services and our programs: the disabled, shut-ins, homeless and others. The program helps those who do not have a gift for evangelism to join in that activity by supporting our Mission in prayer, with a coordination of both inputs. It also proposes the inclusion in our prayer the major issues of our day and suggests a simple way to get us started.

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Section 1: Reading the BibleEvery Christian needs to read the whole Bible. Jesus makes reference

many times to the writings in the Old Testament that contain the groundwork for the mission of Jesus. The guidance in the New Testament books outside the Gospel provide insight into how we can live as Christians and how to understand his teaching.

There are many ways to read the Bible effectively. You can follow the daily Bible verses provided by our church or begin at the beginning and go forward. My approach has been to concentrate on the Gospel in the morning, and other books in the evening. You should feel comfortable with your approach, as long as you cover the Bible and particularly the teachings of Jesus.

We can also gain further insight into the Bible through our Church services, which include a sermon that refers to different stories from the Bible. There is the music of praise, and the lessons and Gospel chosen for each day. The list of Bible readings for each day of the year will let you touch on much of God’s word each year.

1.1: Finding Connections One important way to find connections between our lives and the Bible is

to find references in the Bible. Look for what you want to know in God’s Word to show how He would deal with it.

Unless you have read the whole Bible and know by heart where to look for references, you will need help. Thank goodness there is more than one way to find connections. Look at your issue, problem, idea or question to find what you want answered. Find references to the topics involved, such as nature, anger, sin, faith, glory, spirit and many more.

Using the Internet The internet has excellent information about what is in the Bible. All you

have to do is to enter the topic or topics that you want to connect to on your search engine and surprising results will appear. You will be able to get a number of references from each search. Read the story behind each reference to see if they relate to what you are need. The references themselves are very useful, but the stories behind them will help you become more familiar with the Bible each time you use the search.

The best news is that the results I have found using this method include passages in several of the Bible versions available, so you will be able to find the reference that agree with the version you are reading.

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Normally, I just enter either scripture (issue or problem) NIV, or even without the “scripture”. I add the letters at the end to define the translation to get the version of the reference that agrees with my Bible. I have also used the web site www.bibleinfo.com, and look at ‘Bible Topics’ to find references about a wide range of topics. There are a number of other web sites that you can use.

The Bible ItselfFor many, including those who do not have easy access to a computer or

smart phone, the Bible itself has a number of tools that will allow you to access references:

Many Study Bibles have a Subject Index that will list many of the subjects in the Bible and give references related to them.

Another useful section you may have in your Study Bible is a Concordance, which goes beyond subjects and may include people and places. There is a wide variation in the content and ease of use of the Concordance in different Bibles.

Printed versions of Concordances are available as stand-alone books, and there are some that can be downloaded.

Notes and comments are provided with the passages in a Study Bible. These comments will give you explanations of the writings you are reading and include references to other related passages in the Bible.

There are also Commentaries on the Bible that are very useful. Check with your church leaders if you don’t know of one. Other sources of information and references include Hymn Books, which are uplifting as well as informative. Remember always to check for context.

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Section 2: Understanding the Bible.There is more to understanding the Bible than simply reading the words.

The approach that has succeeded for many is to look beyond the words, taking care not to jump to conclusions. Jesus himself told his disciples that much of his teaching, including the parables, were in a form that were not intended to be wholly understood by everyone. The real meaning is often hidden from those who lack the faith, love and hope necessary to accept his teaching and to follow Him.

You will want to get a good understanding of the Word of God. You are or soon will be a baptised Christian, and a disciple of Jesus. Understanding the messages is very important, especially if you want to bring new members to the church.

Understanding the Teachings of JesusWhen we refer to any important information, we need to understand

what it is saying to us, how it relates to us and to the way we want to live our life. It is hard to grasp what is meant if we remember only one or two words. Just hearing someone say ‘HELP!’, what does it mean! Are we hearing a call for someone who is having a medical emergency? How can we respond when we don’t understand what is happening! We need more information to respond rationally and to be really helpful. At the same time, we need to get help from professionals right away.

The parables of Jesus, his descriptions of the Kingdom of God, his teaching of what to believe and what to do with our life can only be understood if we read the whole of what he said. It is equally important to check the references he gives us to the prophecies he is fulfilling.

An example is the words he said on the cross: “Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachthani.”, or “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Does this mean that Jesus had despaired, that he really means that he feels he has been left alone by the Father?

Let’s look at Psalm 22. The first line of the Psalm reads “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” The Psalm goes on to describe in detail the scene before Jesus, how he sees it and what he feels. In addition, there are specific prophesies in the Psalm, such as the dividing of his clothes by lot.

Was this a four-word parable to teach us how his death on the cross fulfilled the prophesy?

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Other Examples of the Meaning of the Gospel1. The parable of the Prodigal Son is at face value a tale of forgiveness of

a son by the father. But to take it to another level, it is an example of Grace at work, and if we think of what God will do if we ask forgiveness, and believe in Him, that makes sense.

2. Next, look at the parable of the workers who were hired at different times of the day, but all of them received the same reward. This is a teaching that Grace is given not for the time we have believed or the work we have done but is given at the will of the Lord.

3. In another parable, the owner hired the tenants in the vineyard. He sent servants (Prophets?) to receive his share of the crop, who were mistreated, hurt or killed. Then he sent his only son (Jesus?), who was also killed by the tenants.

2.2: Your Church Attending your church is another excellent way to find out how to

connect your life and God’s plan for you. The service is planned to give you information as well as how to give praise and to pray to your God. Bible readings are assigned to every day of the year, and the ones for service days are often the basis for the sermon.

Most important is the celebration of Holy Communion. Communion was given to us by Jesus himself at the last supper, to help us keep our faith strong and to commemorate his life and his teachings. The tradition of food and drink saving the people is a long one: the Passover feast. The manna and water in the desert and the parables of feeding of thousands are also related to saving lives.

The Church has many other activities that can help us understand God’s message and serve others. Be a member of a choir if you can carry a tune, join one of the groups for study and service, join in fellowship or start a fund-raiser for a good cause. There may want to become a youth member on one of the Governing Committees, and sometime you might serve as a member of the Board. Your commitment will support the life of your church and its service to the community.

2.3: Your Christian Family All Christians need to know that they are not alone. When we have issues

that we need to discuss, there are the ministers and leaders of the church, prayer partners to come together with and Christians we know and trust.

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There are networks that can support us, such as our families and friends, the media and books that are relevant and other people that God will send you. Perhaps the most interesting and growing way to get assistance and information are the opportunities that technology can give us. There are churches that promote prayer partnerships on email so that prayer and support are easily available.

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Section 3: The Need for PrayerJesus gave us a strong and vibrant legacy of prayer. He spoke to the

Father every day, gaining insight and direction, strength and power. Jesus told his disciples how important prayer was to him and to them. He told them that without prayer and faith, they would be unable to solve the difficult problems they would face. Prayer is one of his most important teachings.

Jesus said “Wherever two or three are gathered together in my name, I shall answer your prayer”. This underlines the importance of belonging to and attending a church of our choice, where we can depend on a group of partners.

It may be difficult to have someone at your side at all times when prayer is needed. Many Christians use the advantage of email and telephones to keep in touch and to find partners in prayer. We are never really alone in prayer. We always have a partner in the Holy Spirit that we received in baptism.

3.1: Praying for the DisabledOne of the strongest commandments Jesus gave us to fulfil God’s

purpose was to spread the Gospel, so that the harvest of souls would plentiful. But there are many for whom getting out to sow the seed is very difficult. The disabled and shut-ins are two examples of this.

We can all pray for the people who need Jesus, even without leaving our bed, our wheelchair, our palliative care unit. The same thought can apply to those who are homeless, poor, out of work, disenfranchised and forgotten.

When we want to help others, to give them the faith that we have been given, we can ask the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to hear our prayers for our families, relatives, friends, neighbours, our enemies; in short, all God’s people. Perhaps, with God’s help, we can make a difference in the world!

Proposal: We need to have a program to bring the responsibility for prayer to all our people. If we encourage them to pray for others, they may receive the benefit of a true relationship with God. This can begin as simply as the announcement in churches and other locations where we serve, to inform them of needs and issues that they can support.

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3.2: Praying for Your Enemies

We often think of those people who disagree with us, as our enemies, those who are unpleasant with us, those who block our progress.

We need to look at ourselves as others see us. Sometimes ‘enemies’ do the things we dislike for reasons that have nothing to do with us! We also have to carefully check our own thoughts and actions, to see if we are making a mistake, and the person is not at fault. It is a good idea to ask Jesus to show us our mistakes, because we may never have realised how we have wronged others.

The answer may just be to bring our thoughts, our understanding and our decisions to our Lord in prayer. So often Jesus shows us where we are wrong and may even tell us what to do if we really listen.

There are also true enemies in the world, and we need to consider how we can love them as well. What you would do if a person you know turns out to be a terrorist? We know that any person can be one whom God is calling. If they find Him, we must have a forgiving heart as did Jesus with sinners who repented honestly and who came to Him in faith.

The best we thing be able to do is to pray for those who are one of God’s children, even if they do not yet recognize it. For the rest, any one of us can ask God in their prayers to do what is necessary. Perhaps the recent lessening of power of the ISIS may be because some Christians prayed to God for help!

3.3: Praying for the HomelessThere are many instances of homelessness in our society and in the

world. There are so many that it is impossible for any congregation by itself to support them. Some have government support, some have the support of societies and groups, some are staying with family or friends. But there are still too many who have no home. Homeless communities or groups include indigenous people, those with severe mental health issues and those with addiction issues. The fastest-growing group now is children and families.

The church may not be able to address some issues because some people need professional help. We do have the resources to pray that they receive help and we can advocate for them.

To get information on homelessness in Canada, read the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Research Paper, The State of Homelessness in Canada 2016. It is very thorough and is on the internet.

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3.4: Praying for CreationThere are large issues about the environment that we will want to pray about. You may want to look up www.appropedia.org/List_of_environmental_issues for a list.

The Climate in CrisisScientists have warned that doing nothing about climate change will

result in widespread flooding in coastal regions. Homes and buildings where people are living and working, hospitals, stores, churches and food sources will be at risk. The safety, health and wellbeing of large populations will be threatened.

Even now the rise in sea level due to elevated global temperature which brings melting of ice caps, glaciers and mountain snows has reached the point that high tides and storms are causing extensive damage.

Some have looked at the possibility of building extensive dykes and dams to protect existing low-level areas. The problem of living in a land below sea level is not a new one. The Netherlands have, for many centuries, built extensive dyke systems to protect their low-lands.

If that option is chosen, there will be less pressure to address the root causes of human-induced climate change. In addition, if nothing is done about those causes, those protective systems will need to be rebuilt as sea levels continue to rise even when all the ice and snow is melted. At best it is an expensive solution.

But sea level rise is only one of the side effects of climate change. We can see in many areas the heightened severity and occurrence of storms. We can also see drought and effects on farming regions that can change our ability to grow crops in what we think of as normal areas.

Other IssuesIf our prayers can impact on family, church, local, national issues, there are

also major international issues that we could include in our prayers. Once again, we must approach God humbly, for the answer is in his hands. We

cannot take credit for what He has done or will do: that would be a grave error and affect our ability to connect with Him.

But, we can ask; in fact, Jesus expects us to ask, whatever our faith. An appeal to God by anyone can be answered. As Jesus said, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed…”.

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Section 4: A Learning Project for Finding References

This project introduces an addition to the process of finding connections between our lives and the Bible. The church has provided five ways in which the church describes How to Follow Jesus and the five ways to describe how well the church is succeeding in Marks of Mission.

Paired with each of these ten categories are two plain language poems written by the author to show an example of issues and experiences for which you may want to find connections. You can choose to use this process or go directly from the subjects you are interested in to finding references in God’s Word.

How to Follow Jesus See God in everything Trust in God always Stand up for the poor and the vulnerable Serve humbly Share the Faith

Five Marks of Mission To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom To teach, baptize and nurture new believers To respond to human need by loving service To seek to transform unjust structures of society,

to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation

To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth

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4.1: How to Follow JesusThe Anglican church has provided a short list of things

you can do personally in your life to begin and to develop your life in Christ. The list below is simple and approachable.

See God in EverythingThe beautiful, the vast, the stupendous, yes, but there

is more to be seen than that. There are the small everyday things that change our view of the world.

Enderby Mountain

A rare day the Interior graces us with an almost cloudless sky.Snow-capped peaks spreading east to westacross the far horizon,ice castles in a row.

Mountain meadowgrazing land for young cattle,small and lean as yet, as are the scrub spruce that define the upper shelves.A slight breeze carries to usthe clip of ponies as cowboys search for yearlings.

We leave, taking only memoriesof a land so big.

June 5, 1998

The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away. … Nahum 1:5 NIV

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Saint Jamestown

The ever-changing sceneunfolds as I look outover the roofs and treesfrom my apartment window.

Office towers scratch the distant sky.Trees add green canopy below,but to see people, to find faces,I must go down to earth.

The provincial beer store is four blocks south:four times I pass throughanother panhandler’s territory.

One door is blockedby a man who does not respond.The 911 operator says he told the cops to go away.

Two women pass, just awake.Makeup will be added later,to keep each one alive from john to john.

Nestled there, despite all oddsthe freshest fish mart,the best deli in the city, and home ofthe angels of Saint Simon’s Choir.

November 7, 1994

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noiseto the rock of our salvation… Ps 95:1-2 NIV

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Trust in God Always

Our ResponsibilityOur responsibility is to be prepared for the things that the world will

throw at us. There will be emergencies, tornados, hurricanes, slides, floods, earthquakes, illness and accidents around us. God will help us, especially when we pray for His help, but there will be times when he helps before we know that we need him.

God gives us the information we need to be ready for most things. He has developed through us monitoring systems and the knowledge from weather experts to seismologists. The Lord uses available help and preparedness for safety as tools to keep us alive and well, and people who are there to help.

The Blessing

The ashes hiss,evaporating alikethe raindrops andthe dream of renewingGrandma’s rocking chair.

Padded seat, lace andwood are gone, leavingmemories of a peacefulplace to nurse my babes.

Thank God, at least everyone was protected from harm.

November 1, 1998

God is our refuge and our strength, as ever-present help in trouble Psalm 46:1 NIV

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Twister

In my recurring childhood nightmareI tried to get away from the tornadothat was bearing down:I could but drag my feet slowlyAs though through viscous treacle.

Now grown, I have fewer fears, for eminent forecasters tell us that as impressive the phenomenon, they are able now to tell us when it iscoming our way.

Now, all we have to do is to protect ourselves from thedestructive force of its furyand the devastation in its wake.

October 24, 1998

The hurricane is dangerous, the tornadoes and storm surges… (Psalm 46:10 NIV).

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Stand up for the poor and the vulnerable

There are many people in the world who are disadvantaged, disenfranchised, or in danger from the violence that pervades so great a part of the earth. Some are starving or mistreated or having sub-standard human rights conditions.

Some who deal every day with issues such as with poor mental health, addiction, and because of the stigma that they are branded with.

Incognito

I am invisible

trapped within a body and a mind,words and actions seldom understood,least of all by me.

I am impossible:

reactions irrational,emotions and feelings not controlled,performance a constant struggle.

I am incognito:

the inheritance of dreadunchanging since the dark ageskeeps me invisible.

February 3, 1991

The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. Hebrews 13:6

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ShameA child who is taughtto feel shame from early lifefeels less than whole.What shame it is that parents do not know better howto redress let alone teach.The result may be that the child will feel shame and guiltall through their life, and be burdened with an overpowering compulsion to hide.

October 10, 1998

If anyone causes one of these little ones, those who believe in me, to stumble Matthew 18:6 NIV

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Serve Humbly

Remember that prayer and serving others must be approached humbly, for it God who acts on our prayer. When we see that a prayer has been answered, we need to thank God and to praise Him.

The Answer

My first breakdown wasduring manic overload,my ego pushed beyond rational bounds.

I lay on a gurneysomewhere between lost control andpsychotic hallucination;watching a paraplegic childroll by.

In arrogance, I thought,“Lord, make me handicapped,so I can show peoplewhat You can do!”

June 5, 1998

For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted Matthew 23:12 NIV

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Sharing

I need the serenityof a rowboat on a river,or the sanctity of music,to heal.

I need the grandeurof myriad crystal stars,and the last mauve of daylight,to feel.

I need the autumn colours,waves pulsing on the shoreand the sound of the forest,to live.

But I know in my heart,the real enjoyment is to sharemy life with you,to give.

February 14, 1992

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy James 5:11 NIV

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Share the Faith

We are commanded by Jesus to share our faith with others, not to hide it under a bushel basket. There are a number of ways we can do this. Some churches concentrate on evangelism, using direct contact with people or media to reach them. That follows the words of Jesus, but there are Christians in our churches for whom that activity is difficult.

A Leap of FaithDarknessEmptiness, endless days of wanting to believe in somethingwanting proof, thinking no humancould do what Jesus did.How could he change water to wine,feed a multitude, cast out devils,raise Lazarus, raise himself?Darkness

For humans, such things are

impossiblebut for God, all

things are possible.Light

The gift of growing faith.Knowing what Jesus did for me:

Dying for me, rising up,Accepting my repentance,

forgiving me, giving me life and fulfilment.

LightApril 30 1990

We know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ 1 John 5:20 ESV

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VisionMany good people believe that we are in God’s hands,that He walks with us, and even carries us through lifewhen hard times comeThey thank Him when things go well,but when tough times come,or when someone good or youngor not yet learned about His kingdomis taken from them,cruelly, they blame God, and many turn awayIn grief and anger.I wonder what God would do if He had no place of peace, no mansion of many rooms, where time has no meaningand we can serve him happilyand no Son who promised usGod's kingdom . . . perhaps then we should fear death.But none of this is true!He loves us, as He tells usat every glance, in every soundwith every sense human and spiritualthat we feel, and He will care.Every day I meditate and pray that I may have faith that growsas big as a mustard seed.I know no matter whatI may do, that Jesus’ promises will certainly come true.

June 10, 1992

In my Father's house are many mansions… John 14:2 KJV

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Section 4.2: The Marks of Mission

The Marks of Mission describe the work of the church and give us a benchmark for the effectiveness of its programs. They ensure that the programs and projects of the Church are applied to the needs of the people and the world around it.

The Marks of Mission can also suggest new directions for the scope and reach of programs and help to improve existing programs.

To proclaim the Good News of the GospelAll of our members need to be active, if only through prayer.

Can we look at other ways to advance Jesus’ mission, perhaps by keeping our church and our faith in the minds of our fellow citizens?

Christmas Eve

At last has winter's tempestspread brilliant icing uponthe frozen cake of earth,the confectioner's artwork that protects the hoard of groundlings.Tree dwellers stay much at home, lest the clear sign of paw print betray their presence and break the peace that reigns awhile.

Almost halfway around the world and two millennia gone past,walked a man wrapped in homespun against the cold of desert night. He led a donkey on which was seateda woman, who smiled becauseshe knew that the child within would change our world.

December 25, 2005

For unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given Isaiah 9:6 NIV

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Trinity

Three essential elementswithin one GodFather, Son and Holy Spirithere before the universe.Co-creators who overcamethe darknesswith Light

Man, created in His imagecrafted with much promise,who chose to disconnectuntil the Son of Godgave us His Graceto once again become complete.

May 12, 1998

Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them. in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit Matthew 28:19 ASV

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To teach, baptize and nurture new believers

Baptism by water and the Holy Spirit is an important step in our journey. That gift of the Holy Spirit will help you to read, understand and enjoy the Bible and to make your prayer life more meaningful. Your experience in becoming a mature Christian has begun.

My God is Too SmallHow can I say that my God is infinite in time and space, when both are meaningless to Him?How can I use God’s Word to solve the argument between science and faith, when He transcends such narrow, often petty, perspectives?How can I think of Him as larger than the universeand yet be too small to trust Jesus as my Saviour?

What joy it is to understand the truth of the Word,as witnessed by the followers of Jesus, to hear Jesus’ promises. But I need to grow in my trustof Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

January 30, 2000

Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move… Matthew 17:20 NIV

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CHRISTMAS TIME

The

glimmer

of the fireplace is

reflected by a hundred

ornaments hung carefully on

the best tree the forest could provide.

The quiet flicker competes for every glance

with the sparkle of a thousand multi-coloured lights.

At the bottom of the blaze, under the boughs

lay myriad presents, wrapped in foil, in tissues,

in bright patterns, trimmed with bows, with ribbons,

and tagged with messages that announce the giving tradition.

Walls and fireplace are adorned with wreaths, with garlands,

with branches, with bows and bells that mark the season.

But there, in a small crècheon the hearth, a ceramic figure

of the Christ child brings us backto the true meaning of Christmas.The gift of a tiny babe who would

bring peace to all mankind.

May He bring joy and peace and healing to you all your family this joyous season,

December 24, 1999 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son… Galatians 4:4-5 RSVCE

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To respond to human need by loving service

Your service to others needs to be given willingly, humbly and with love. Many of those you pray for have special issues in their lives, so your knowledge of their needs is especially important. The poems below look at the needs of those who suffer from poor mental health.

The RapidsTide plummets.The river rushesthrough raging rapidsto the sea.

Water fights furiouslyagainst ridge and rock in the narrow gorge.At the lower bend,Charybdis churnsin wait for the haplessand the all too brave.

By far most powerful,most frightening of all,is the view from the handrailsof the bridge above;staring straight downat the surging, churning flow,hypnotic, inviting, compelling,drawing those who long forthe peace of the cold deep.

March 20, 1999

Why my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God Psalms 43:5 NIV

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Strangers Nervous, anxious, fearful, as long as I could rememberI was afraid of hospitals.Not the buildings, as ugly as they so often are, with utilitarian shape grown out ofa minimalist approach to expansion.Not the staff, although while they areso often caring as individuals, they can appear ghoulish as a group.

It was rather the patients in the hospitals that I feared… they were different, in a world of their own.They were their disease, and I couldn't find a way to contact them.I couldn't see how…What if I said the wrong thing?What if I wished someone well, thinking they were going home tomorrow,and find out later they had only hours to live?

Then, I had the need for surgery myself, and stayedfor eight weeks because of an infection;now I was one of them!I played chess with a man with two broken legs, and cribbage with a person now gone.I read and wrote letters for anotherwho had an accident in a coal mine.My rounds started just after breakfast. Now all those of whom I was once afraidwere my friends, with feelings, needs, loves andfears, and who want most of all to be free.

February 18, 1991

Sitting down, Jesus called the twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and be the servant of all” Mark 9:35 NIV

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To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation

Violence can take many forms. It can be the content of language, written and spoken, the threat of weapons of mass destruction, or sudden stress from of an employer’s decision. It can be the result of anger. We must realize that something is wrong, and that we need to search for peace and to talk to those who have been wronged.

Pandora’s New BoxHiroshima and then Nagasaki astounded us:humanity was forever ransomed in the dark shadowof a mushroom shaped cloud:Scorched earth, torched innocents,decades of glowing witness.The sabres have been held to rattling since, only because of the conscience of good men and the fear of reprisal.But now. what of those for whom the thought of not using the horror carries an unacceptable stigma of weakness?What of those who care of nothingbut their own ends?What of those with no conscience, who have Armageddon in their grasp? What of terrorists, bullies, age-old prejudice, and fear?How many times have the souls of those who began thiswish they had left the box unopened.

October 5, 1998So, do not fear, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God Isaiah 41:10 NIV

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ViolenceWe wonder if our children

are affected more than they seemby the sight of senseless violence

in families, in streets, on the screen?And what of those small innocentswhose loved ones are blown away

in the ongoing carnage of warhave they lost their time of play?

Where will our future leaders be found?From youth that has been fed on lustfor blood, and damage, and death?

Where will we find those who are just?We have conquered many a horrible ill,

but a virus we have failed to contain.is the violence that has infected us all

since before we moved to the plainPerhaps our children will be better equipped

to deal with this genetic bane.Perhaps they will "max out” and find a way

to be peaceful, and kind, and saneBut until they do, we can only try

to stop it where we canand though we must fight the lust in ourselves,

to pray for our fellow man.October 15, 1992Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart Matthew 11:29 ESV

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To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth

When God gave us his creation, He made sure that it would have the best chance to continue. Our part is to look after His creation by sustaining the earth and renewing its life.

Prime

Sunbeamstreaming through the window of our environment: you have changed.

We have altered, culled, depleted, trapped your energy; used you as a very convenientgarbage dump

You wait patiently as we rushtoward disaster that we could avoidif our environmental priorities recognized the importance of your sunbeam

February 18, 1993

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me yourpaths Psalm 25:4 NRSV

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A Shout in Silence

On a voyage to my heritage, I visited a potterwho worked the red clay of that maritime shore.The usual pieces were there: thrown pots, plates, plaques, and sweeping ewers.

But elsewhere were large round fish with little tails,like blowfish in full array, huge gaping mouths and distended eyes, straining to speak.

Feeling that these fish had a message,I asked the artist, but he shrugged and walked away…Then I remembered: fish need clean water,rich in oxygen to live; we cannot blame themif they cry out …"GASP"

August 21, 1996

I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruit and good things. But you came in, you defiled my land and made my heritage an abomination Jeremiah 2:7 ESV

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