Local impact of gas tax

 

Jesus is Lord!

Are you a Christian? Is Jesus Christ the Lord of your life? Too many people say they are Christians without any consideration to the relationship they actually have to the Christ they are identifying with. 

Jesus is identified in the Bible as the Lord. This designation is not to be taken lightly as both the Father and the Son are very serious persons. The fact that even a word of idle talk is subject to judgment necessarily implies that God does not speak or write an idle word (Matthew 12:36), and that the biblical references to Jesus as Lord are not without grave significance. 

The Bible identifies Jesus as Lord in a very concrete and enduring way. Jesus’ designation as Lord is in no way like the often vacant titles we sometimes use in today’s society. Jesus Christ is Lord in fact and whether or not a person has respect for that fact has grave consequences. 

For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. – Romans 14:10-12

Notice that in the scripture quoted above Christ is identified as both the LORD and God being spoken of in the interpretive quote of Isaiah 45:23.  It is Christ the Lord’s judgment seat before which “every knee shall bow … and every tongue shall confess.” It is the Lord Jesus Christ to whom “each of us shall give account of himself.” 

The context of Romans 14 makes it clear that this scripture is referring to Christians in particular. 

As a Christian, Jesus is the Lord over your life, and how you responded to that reality will determine how He will judge your life. 

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. – 2 Corinthians 5:10

Have you ever said to someone, or had someone say to you, “who are you to judge me,” or “you have no right to judge me?” No Christian can say that to Jesus. Jesus has the right to judge you because He is your Lord and your God. (John 20:28) 

When you became a Christian you embraced the confession that Jesus is your Lord? Romans 10:9 says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” 

I once spoke to a small group of men about the promises they made to their brides on their wedding day. None of the men were sure about exactly what they promised, and all of them looked guilty because they were divorced and knew they had broken whatever promises they had made. They were all adulterers in the biblical sense violating the covenants they had made. 

I believe the problem began with the fact that not one of these men ever took the promises they made seriously, and from the very beginning they were willing to break those promises. 

How seriously do you take your relationship with Jesus your Lord? What did you say to Him when you became a Christian? Are you faithful to Jesus’ Lordship over your life?

Take time in prayer today to speak to your Lord, Jesus the Christ, and reaffirm your commitment to Him as your Lord.

Rev. George Frey

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A few short days ago, we celebrated Easter–one of the most glorious days of the Christian year

The resurrection of Jesus lit a flame in the hearts of men and women which has never been extinguished. It confirms forever the teachings of the man from Nazareth who said: “Because I live, you shall live also. I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Easter is a radiance, caught and passed on from believer to believer. It is the credential for that potent power which created the universe and the power by which human beings keep turning the world’s values upside down.

In this Easter season, may we indeed turn the world on its edge with the guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

May we seek to do the will of God instead of conforming to the ways of the world. Let us uplift the downtrodden and care for the rejected.

As Christ’s faithful disciples, may we strive not for prestige or social status, but work for justice and mercy in our communities where so many are hungry or ill.

God has promised us resurrection, new life, new beginnings, in Jesus’ resurrection–what will we do as our part of keeping that promise/covenant?

We receive the new life God gives and asks us to share with others. We proclaim “Hallelujah–Christ is Risen. He is risen indeed.”

Jesus gives meaning to our often empty lives, and we can give thanks.

We are the blessed sons and daughters of the Saviour. We are to pass these blessings on to our sisters and brothers everywhere.

And if ever we feel drained and defeated, may we allow ourselves to be used by God.

We will then be renewed and revitalized.

Our interest and ability to create are reawakened.

We rise again!

Rev. Janet Evans, 

Iroquois United Church

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Who will save the South Dundas murals? At this point, three of the murals, all in Morrisburg, are at the end of their lifespan. The Township of South Dundas is responsible for either taking them down and refinishing the walls beneath OR making a fresh start and hiring someone to redo them.

From what I’ve heard so far, the second option doesn’t appear to be under consideration. Rather, it would appear that hope has been laid at the feet of residents who might consider stepping forward as ‘champions’… which, as I already said, has not yet happened and may not happen at all. Let’s face it, not everyone has $10,000 and change lying around for donation toward commissioning a replacement mural. (I’m lucky when I have $10 lying around that hasn’t already been spoken for…!)

Getting down to the ‘nitty gritty’… Why is saving the South Dundas murals important? Because they’re unique and they’re beautiful. They each depict a different part of the history of South Dundas. They generate interest from outsiders… perhaps even draw people into our township. I think they’re an asset to each of our communities within South Dundas and, as such, should be funded by and cared for by… our township. 

As for where the money would come from in the South Dundas budget… I don’t know, but I’m certain that it’s doable. These murals showcase our township… the beauty that surrounds South Dundas… the history… the story. Perhaps the budget for economic development should be raised to encompass the murals… for the probability that they serve to entice visitors to our area… visitors who shop here, eat here, stay here for the night… or for visitors who may decide to put down roots and set up shop in South Dundas.

Adding to that thought, should someone with power… council maybe… decide that murals are to remain in South Dundas indefinitely, perhaps there is an argument to be made for regular maintenance and upkeep, to preserve these murals for as long as possible. 

And, if I haven’t gone too far already, might I make another suggestion… why not add more murals? Not too many, just a few… maybe some with scenes from our recent history. (FYI: I hope to never see any murals with wind turbines in them!)   S. C.

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