Opinion

 

Ahhh  Spring Time has Arrived

My favourite season of the year is spring. With it comes the promise of new life. With it comes the freshness of the tender new leaves on the trees, the greening of the grass, and the return of the migratory birds.

Before we experience that part of spring, it seems that we must endure yet another snow storm!

As I sit by the window of my study the snow is falling relentlessly. It feels like it is bringing heaviness on a world waiting to burst forth with new life. 

Once this snowfall has subsided and the thermometer finds its way into the higher temperatures, we have to find our way through the muck and mire of melting snow and defrosting ground. It seems that before we get to the beautiful part of spring we must encounter the messy part.

I suppose it kind of feels like the heaviness of our Lenten journey – that dark, heavy place we journey through as we approach the new life that Easter brings to us. 

We all know that after the forty days of Lent we will rejoice in the resurrection. However, we must first find our way through those forty days. 

In our Anglican tradition, we are called to observe a “holy Lent by self-examination, penitence, prayer, fasting and almsgiving, and by reading and meditating on the word of God.” (Book of Alternative Services, p. 282) 

Most of this is done with a relative amount of ease if we commit to it. The hardest part for me (and for most), where I find the muck and mire, is in self-examination. To truly look deep within ourselves is one of the most difficult things we can do and most of us avoid it. 

But to find new life, we must look within to find what we need to let go of, what part of the old life is in the way. Then we will, with the help of God, be able to receive the new life in the resurrected Christ.

The snow will pass as will the forty days. In the meantime, as you journey through Lent make a commitment to create room in your heart, soul and life for the gift that God has for us. At the end of both the snow and the forty days we will find new life as only God can give us.

[…]

 

Today is my daughter’s birthday. I remember the day long ago when she entered the world at the Brockville General Hospital. Now she is 23 years old, and my husband and I continue to be proud parents.

While Hilary was growing up, she took swimming lessons and finished two gold level tests in figure skating. She loved music, and we spent many hours enjoying movies at the theatre.

Our family shared many moments of joy together, especially during our trips to Disney World. Yet illness arrived in our lives when Hilary was about 14 years old. It continues on to this day, and a lot of my daughter’s day to day living is a struggle because of poor health.

I’ve often thought of life as a journey. Our family seems to have hit so many bumps on the journey however. Sometimes it is difficult to put one foot in front of another. 

I know many other people who face sick days, loneliness, rejection, hunger and bereavement. Happiness is often clouded by trial. 

One thing that keeps me going is the assurance that God loves His people and travels with them on all of their journeys. Jesus can bring light out of darkness, comfort out of sorrow, resurrection out of death. Even when our days are shattered, God can shed hope and light upon us.

God loves us. We will never fall out of His caring embrace. In life, in death, in life beyond death our Lord is with us. We are never alone.

In this Lenten season, we are asked to place Jesus at the centre of our days. We can draw closer to Jesus and to one another. We can ask ourselves how we can care for our brothers and sisters in Christ. We can cherish others as God has first cherished us.

As we walk the journey to the Cross and ultimately, the empty tomb, we can be assured that God’s presence strengthens us, guides us and inspires us.

During this Lenten season may we remember to take to heart these words.

Lent is a time to take the time to let the power of our faith story take hold of us,

a time to let the events get up and walk around in us,

a time to intensify our living unto Christ,

a time to hover over the thoughts of our hearts,

a time to place our feet in the streets of Jerusalem or to walk along the sea and listen to his word,

a time to touch his robe and feel the healing surge through us, a time to ponder and a time to wonder. . .

Lent is a time to allow a fresh new taste of God! 

(From Kneeling in Jerusalem, by Ann WeemsAnn Weems)

Rev. Janet Evans, 

Williamsburg United Church,

Lakeshore Drive United 

[…]

 

A while ago I came across the following collection of advertisements taken from real newspapers.

Snow blower for sale…Only used on 

snowy days.

Wire mesh butchering gloves for sale…

1 5-finger, 1 3-finger, pair: $15

Nordic track $300…hardly used, call Chubby

Georgia peaches California grown…

89 cents lb.

Joining nudist colony! Must sell washer & dryer $300.

Open House: Body Shapers Fitness Club and Toning Salon–free coffee & donuts.

Nice parachute: never opened–used once.

 

[…]

SD & SG middle class families are faring better. 

Since elected in 2004 to represent the great constituents of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, I have continually heard concerns about jobs, high taxes, and the ability to support a family.  

That is why I am happy to announce that middle class families are faring better due to the strong economic leadership of our Conservative Government. 

Last week Statistics Canada released their Survey of Financial Security, which confirmed that the average Canadian family is better off today under our current Conservative Government than under the previous Liberal Government. 

Statistics Canada’s report found that the net worth of Canadian families was up 44.5 per cent from 2005 and almost 80 per cent more than 1999. 

In fact, the largest increase in net worth between 2005 and 2012 occurred for families in the middle income bracket. 

This encouraging report is a direct result of the measures our Government has put in place since elected.   

Due to the action we took to cut taxes 160 times, we have saved the average Canadian family over $3,400 a year. 

We have also removed 1 million Canadians from the tax rolls, including 380,000 seniors. 

Furthermore, our commitment to lowering taxes has resulted in disposable income, after taxes, rising by 10 per cent across all income levels. 

Thanks to our low tax plan, 1.4 million Canadians are no longer living in poverty, and the number of Canadians living below the Low Income Cut-off is at its lowest level ever. 

The action we have taken to keep taxes low for Canadian families keeps more of their hard earned money where it belongs – in their pockets.

That is why I am deeply concerned about recent comments from Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau. 

Trudeau said that he would massively increase the size of the federal government, which means either ballooning national debt or tax increases for Canadian families. 

Trudeau’s comments show me that the middle class would not fare well under a Trudeau Liberal Government. 

In contrast, under our Conservative Government’s low tax plan, we are making life more affordable for Canadian families in SD&SG, while balancing the budget. 

[…]

My Favourite Athlete

It’s been said that “football consists of 22 men on the field desperately in need of a rest and 50,000 in the stands desperately in need of exercise.” (with apologies to the CFL). There’s probably truth in that. 

Same is likely true of the Olympics. All of us sitting back with our chips and beverage of choice watching people who for years have lived a life of strict training and diet to get where they are at. Isn’t there something a bit amusing about that?

Yet as much as I deeply admire Olympic athletes for what they do, I know a guy whose willingness to sacrifice and suffer for his prize vastly outshines them all. 

His name is Paul. You may know him as Saint Paul, but I kind of doubt he’d really care to be called that. When he talked about himself and what he did, he saw himself much like an athlete. He devoted himself to his ‘sport’ not for a decade or two, but for an entire lifetime. And what he went through exceeds anything an Olympian ever does.

You should read it; it’s crazy (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 or 2 Corinthians 6:4-10). He was given the ‘forty lashes minus one’ five times, beaten, stoned (and left for dead), shipwrecked three times, almost died numerous times, and on and on it went.

So why did Paul subject himself to such an outrageous life?

Well, for two reasons. Like any athlete, he did for the prize.

He says as much in 1 Corinthians 9:27. As an old man looking back over this career, he writes: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness ( the word ‘crown’ here is really the word, “wreath” like the Olympians of his day were rewarded in their games), which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day…”

The other reason Paul lived such a seemingly ‘fanatical’ life was he had discovered something so amazing (and so unknown) that he couldn’t help but devote himself to sharing it with ever speck of energy he had. 

That something was what he called the “gospel” or “good news.” Simply put, it was the message that God loved this world so much (that would include you and me) that he sent his only son to die for its sins, that whoever accepted that would receive salvation as a free gift. Salvation being new life now, and eternal life in heaven.

In Romans 1:14 he says he’s obligated, or indebted, to the world to share this ‘good news.’ God has made it know to him; he’s experienced it, so he’s got no choice but to share it with others, whatever the cost, and whatever the sacrifices needed.

I think there’s good stuff to learn from Paul. 

First, a life that dedicated to a higher cause challenges us all as to what we’re living for. Are we just living for a ‘good time’ or is there more to life than that? Is there some higher purpose and meaning? Something to really be committed to? To sacrifice and even suffer for? Maybe even a God to whom we’re accountable?

But even more than this, maybe considering Paul being sold out for the ‘good news’ about Christ can make us curious, interested, to check it out for ourselves. Maybe there’s more to it than we realize. Maybe it’s better than we think.

Pastor Clarence Witten

Community Christian 

Reformed Church

Dixon’s Corners

[…]

Are You a Faithful Church Member?

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 

(Hebrews 10:24-25)

It “is the manner of some” Christians to forsake (enkataleipo; abandon or desert) the services and meetings of the local Church. “Manner” (ethos) in this verse refers to customary behavior or habits.  Some Christians, willfully and habitually, avoid services and meetings of the local Church. 

These Christians assume the right to determine for themselves whether they go to Church, on the bases of personal preference or convenience. Where the Bible has made God’s will known, choosing otherwise is a choice to disobey God’s word. (see v.26)

According to this passage, to forsake the assemblies of the Church is a refusal to participate in the love and good works designed to happen there. There are aspects of love and good works that cannot occur apart from our involvement in the services and meetings of the local Church. 

The God kind of love is unique, in that it is placed in the heart by the Holy Spirit, only when a person becomes a Christian. (Romans 5:5) This love is modeled for us by Jesus, when He sacrificed His living and life for our salvation. This love is unselfish and focused on the needs of others.

Good  works (kalos ergon) in our text, is the outworking of such love. By definition these are “morally excellent works that one is enabled and obligated to do by virtue of being created in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:10) Therefore avoidance of Church services and meetings is a violation of the nature and purpose of being “created in Christ Jesus for good works.” 

Our text calls us to “consider one another.” As I am considering others, others are considering me. This is how the God kind of love is designed to work in the Church. This consideration (katanoeo) is a caring awareness and regard for others, that looks for the opportunity to be a blessing, in word and deed. (1 John 3:16-19)

We consider one another in this way when we respect the vision of Christ for our participation in the services and meetings of the local Church. (Ephesians 4:1-16) It is in our assembling together as a Church that we “exhort one another.” The term translated “exhort,” parakaleo in the Greek text, means to come alongside of one another, to aid, help, comfort, and encourage one another. 

Attendance in local Church services and meetings is necessary if we are to be faithful to the model of Church presented to us in the Bible; a model of love and unity. And as we proceed toward the “Day of the Lord” this model becomes increasingly important.

We can only disobey God’s word to our own hurt, so let us obey the Scriptures in this matter; demonstrating our true discipleship and love for Jesus by assembling with the Church faithfully. (John 8:31; 14:23) 

If you know these things, happy are you if you do them. – John 13:17

[…]

Are You a Faithful Church Member?

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 

(Hebrews 10:24-25)

It “is the manner of some” Christians to forsake (enkataleipo; abandon or desert) the services and meetings of the local Church. “Manner” (ethos) in this verse refers to customary behavior or habits.  Some Christians, willfully and habitually, avoid services and meetings of the local Church. 

These Christians assume the right to determine for themselves whether they go to Church, on the bases of personal preference or convenience. Where the Bible has made God’s will known, choosing otherwise is a choice to disobey God’s word. (see v.26)

According to this passage, to forsake the assemblies of the Church is a refusal to participate in the love and good works designed to happen there. There are aspects of love and good works that cannot occur apart from our involvement in the services and meetings of the local Church. 

The God kind of love is unique, in that it is placed in the heart by the Holy Spirit, only when a person becomes a Christian. (Romans 5:5) This love is modeled for us by Jesus, when He sacrificed His living and life for our salvation. This love is unselfish and focused on the needs of others.

Good  works (kalos ergon) in our text, is the outworking of such love. By definition these are “morally excellent works that one is enabled and obligated to do by virtue of being created in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:10) Therefore avoidance of Church services and meetings is a violation of the nature and purpose of being “created in Christ Jesus for good works.” 

Our text calls us to “consider one another.” As I am considering others, others are considering me. This is how the God kind of love is designed to work in the Church. This consideration (katanoeo) is a caring awareness and regard for others, that looks for the opportunity to be a blessing, in word and deed. (1 John 3:16-19)

We consider one another in this way when we respect the vision of Christ for our participation in the services and meetings of the local Church. (Ephesians 4:1-16) It is in our assembling together as a Church that we “exhort one another.” The term translated “exhort,” parakaleo in the Greek text, means to come alongside of one another, to aid, help, comfort, and encourage one another. 

Attendance in local Church services and meetings is necessary if we are to be faithful to the model of Church presented to us in the Bible; a model of love and unity. And as we proceed toward the “Day of the Lord” this model becomes increasingly important.

We can only disobey God’s word to our own hurt, so let us obey the Scriptures in this matter; demonstrating our true discipleship and love for Jesus by assembling with the Church faithfully. (John 8:31; 14:23) 

If you know these things, happy are you if you do them. – John 13:17

[…]

There are ups and downs in everyone’s life. We all become unhappy when we experience problems and set-backs. These unhappy feelings are usually temporary. For some people, though, sad feelings last a long time and are quite severe. “Depression” is a clinical term used by psychiatrists to describe a long period when a person feels very sad to the point of feeling worthless, hopeless and helpless.

Signs of Depression in Children and Teens

If your child becomes depressed, he/she is unlikely to talk about it. Your first warning signs will probably be changes in behaviour that may suggest a troubled and unhappy state of mind. A child who used to be active and involved may suddenly become quiet and withdrawn. A good student might start getting poor grades.

Changes in Feelings

Your child may show signs of being unhappy, worried, guilty, angry, fearful, helpless, hopeless, lonely or rejected.

Physical Changes

Your child may start to complain of headaches, or general aches and pains. He/she may have a lack of energy, sleeping or eating problems, or feel tired all the time.

Changes in Thinking

Your child may say things that indicate low self-esteem, self-dislike or self-blame. He/she may have difficulty concentrating or frequently experience negative thoughts. He/she might even think about suicide.

Changes in Behaviour

Your child might withdraw from others, cry easily or show less interest in sports, games or other fun activities that he/she normally likes. He/she might over-react and have sudden outbursts of anger or tears over fairly small incidents.

How to Help a Child who may be Depressed

Talk to your child. If you have noticed any of the signs discussed here, do your best to encourage your child to talk to you about how he/she is feeling and what is bothering him/her. Depression is very treatable. Start by checking with your family doctor to find out if there could be a physical cause for your child’s feelings of fatigue, aches and pains, and low moods. Many school boards have professional counsellors on staff. The school counsellor or your family doctor may refer you to a children’s mental health clinic. If there isn’t a clinic nearby, there may be a psychiatrist or psychologist who specializes in working with children.

This article provides general information only. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice. If you feel that you may need advice, please consult a qualified health care professional.  For further information please visit our web site at: www.cmha-east.on.ca or call 1-800-493-8271.

[…]

In an effort to provide support to local communities our Government has taken action through Canada’s Gas Tax Fund. 

In recent years, the Gas Tax Fund has been extended, doubled, indexed and made permanent. 

These improvements to Canada’s Gas Tax Fund provide predictable, long-term funding for Canadian municipalities to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure while creating jobs and long-term prosperity.

The Gas Tax Fund is providing Ontarians, including the constituents of SDSG, with stable funding that will have a tangible impact on their quality of life and the long-term sustainability of their communities. 

Through the Gas Tax Fund, municipalities across Ontario have benefited from close to $4.7 billion in predictable and flexible funding for local priorities since the program began.

Municipalities have been able to distribute these funds into drinking water, wastewater infrastructure, public transit, community energy systems, solid waste management, and local roads. By investing these funds in important local infrastructure we are creating jobs, promoting growth and building strong, prosperous communities across Canada, and right here in SDSG. 

As announced in Economic Action Plan 2013, the eligible categories for the Gas Tax Fund will be expanded and the Fund will be indexed at two per cent a year in $100-million increments, starting in 2014. 

This represents $21.8 billion in flexible, long-term funding for municipal infrastructure. 

This expansion will now allow municipalities to invest in projects supporting culture, tourism, sport and recreation; disaster mitigation; broadband communication systems; highways; short-line rail; short-sea shipping; brownfield redevelopment; and local and regional airports. 

In 2013 to 2014, SDSG municipalities have received the following funding to support its local infrastructure priorities: Cornwall – $2,819,953; South Glengarry – $395,094; South Stormont – $384,051; North Stormont – $207,639; South Dundas -$323,621; North Dundas – $340,339.

I am confident that Canada’s Gas Tax Fund provides long-term funding to help SDSG communities build and revitalize their local infrastructures.  

[…]

Welcome to Care Close to Home – an ‘inside view’ of Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH).  Learn about our services – as well as how to take care of your own health.  This month, we’re talking about VTE, including what you need to know before you travel.

Stop the Clot!

It’s called Venous Thromboembolism or VTE and it is a life-threatening condition.  At WDMH, the entire care team is working hard to prevent it. 

 

VTE is essentially a blood clot that can travel through your bloodstream to your lungs. It is more likely to happen when you are unwell or less active than usual. Some surgeries or longer stays in the hospital can increase the risk of VTE. 

 

A new program at WDMH ensures that every patient is assessed for VTE, and that those at risk receive special treatment and medication. Everyone has a role to play in keeping patients safe. If you are coming to the hospital, ask about VTE and tell your healthcare team if you have a history of blood clots or other risk factors such as:  recent surgeries, recent trauma or injury particularly to legs, cancer, age, chronic medical conditions, obesity, blood disorders, pregnancy and use of contraception or hormone replacement therapy.

 

Travel Safe

 

Another time to think about blood clots is when you travel and may be sitting for extended periods in a car, train or plane. If you are planning a long trip, speak with your doctor and follow these simple tips:

 

Take breaks often. If possible, get up out of your seat and walk around to get the blood moving.

Stretch/flex your calf muscles while sitting.

Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic beverages.

 

Avoid constrictive or tight clothing around your waist, legs and feet. Consider taking your shoes off or wearing compression stockings.

[…]