Perspectives with Rev. George Frey

June 20, 2012 Editor Opinion

 

In Christ We Have Peace

The world we live in is fraught with trials, tests and temptations. Our Lord, Jesus the Christ, acknowledges this when he says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) 

In the same breath it seems, Jesus confirms for His disciples a life of tribulation and a place of solace in the mist of that tribulation. 

Apart from Christ, life must always be a tragedy in the end, filled with troubling experiences and brief hiatus’ of rest, peace and joy; yet always in the shadow of death. (Ps 23)

But for the believer, for the person who is in Christ, there is provided a special gift of peace. A gift that according to Jesus, is provided by things He has spoken to us. 

The scripture quote above is taken from things Jesus said to His disciples in the shadow of the cross, preparing their hearts for the crisis at hand. In the great redemptive plan of God this crisis could not be avoided, however those who would experience it could be comforted and prepared to survive it. 

They could be told where to get peace in the time of trouble, how to understand the crisis, and the appropriate attitude for going through the crisis. 

In Isaiah 9:6 Jesus is revealed to be the Prince of Peace. Any real and lasting peace must be found in the accomplishments of Jesus Christ, because it is in Him only that we have peace with God and are secured against His righteous judgment. (Romans 5:1) It is only in Christ that the tragic story line of mankind will end in “happily ever after.”

Remarkably, we are told by Jesus to “be of good cheer” when experiencing the tribulations of this world. Tharseo, the Greek term translated “be of good cheer” in our opening quote, may be understood in this context to mean that we should go through the tribulations presented to us in this world with courage. 

And the reason we should have this attitude of courage is because Jesus has overcome the world in which we experience tribulation.

The courage spoken of here is not a “dutch courage” produced by some kind of intoxicant, but rather an encouragement of the heart, affecting both the mind and emotions, produced by your faith in the teachings of Jesus Christ; thus “be of good cheer.” 

Therefore the Apostle James writes, “my brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials …” Don’t let the trials of living in this world get you down. Rise up on your faith in Jesus Christ and be of good cheer regardless of what you may be going through. And always remember the Jesus has overcome the world and provided a “happily ever after” for all who have faith in Him.

Rev. George Frey, Jr.

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Let’s Make a $pla$h

July 16, 2014 Editor Opinion

 

The bank account for the Splashpad to be installed at the South Dundas Children’s Playground in Morrisburg is growing steadily, and we are slowly working our way towards the end of the summer when the organizing committee would like to see the project underway and completed.

With $116,000 now in the bank, thanks to steady fundraising over the last few years and the generosity of a lot of local businesses, clubs and organizations, the committee is now hoping to get the entire community active in coming up with the remaining money needed  for the $200,000 project.

The organizing committee has submitted numerous proposals for grant money, and are hopeful, but you know what they say: You can’t always count on the other guy, sometimes you just got to get out there and do it yourself.

So really the committee is now looking for the South Dundas community, young and old, big and little, in school and out of school, to make a splash with a few fundraisers of your own. You are limited only by your own imagination…and for those of us who are limited on imagination like me, well then the cheque book comes in pretty handy.

For those of you, however, with lots of imagination there are all sorts of events to be considered like bake sales, or yard sales, or a great big huge community party and barbecue like a Block Party or in this case a Park Party, right down there at the playground…with facepainting and balloon popping games of chance…perhaps a cake walk…bake sales…family ‘goofy’ pictures, (we supply the frame, the costumes, the photographer, and you supply the family…a community wide silent auction or some crazy auctions for a free snowblow, or hairdo, or manicure, or garden weeding, a car wash or dinner with a local celeb…and eats and foods with every restaurant and food service in the community on site with their specialties…the list goes on and on. 

It’s all up to you the community. You did it before and the proof is in the  children’s park…at the playground and the nearby beautifully landscaped gardens…so if you did it once, you can do it again…Together we can all make a pretty big $pal$h. Don’t you think?       

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Opinion

Perspectives by Rev. Norine Gullons

October 24, 2012 Editor Opinion

 

A Thankful Focus on Life

The outdoor yard work has been completed. Lawn furniture has been put away. 

Plants and herbs that are to be kept over the winter have been brought into the house. Gardens are being turned over and root vegetables are being tucked away in fruit cellars for the winter. “Stuff ”has been taken to the dump. People have made the final trek to close up their cottages. Now they are thinking about their vehicles and the things that need to be completed before winter is upon us.

We become so preoccupied with everyday living that I wonder if we take the time to look around us and be thankful.

On Thanksgiving Sunday, I asked people to write, as part of their offering, what they were thankful for in their own personal lives. The little slips of orange paper revealed what is truly valued.

Family

Friends

Health 

Our faith family

Our country

The trials and unexpected joys that bring us closer to God 

Employment 

Opportunities

Independence

Good weather

Good harvests

The miracles that God grants us in our times of need

We could also add to the list the fact that we have the Human Rights Code and Charter of Rights which support our right to practice freedom of religion and spirituality.

I am going to make this suggestion to you, the reader. This evening, after you have read your weekly Morrisburg Leader, take some time out and make your own list of what you are thankful for. Keep the list in your private journal or put it up on your fridge as a daily reminder of the blessings in your own life.  

Until we chat again, 

Pastor Norine

 

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