Opinion

 

Handiwork

A few years ago, I decided to take up knitting. I had tried it a couple of times before and had disliked it. But I also hated being mastered by anything, and decided to try again.

It gave me a great feeling of accomplishment as I handed the finished project of a beautiful sweater to my eldest daughter. Then, feeling much more confident, I knit the same pattern over for my next daughter in another colour. 

Two sweaters under my belt! I was no longer a novice. Into the wool shop I went and bought a much more difficult pattern. The first time I chose a pattern, I had asked for help. This time I did it on my own.

Hours later, I knew that I was in way over my head. I asked advice from a neighbor, an expert knitter. I kept on. Stuck again, I sought more advice. I ripped out and re-knit enough times to knit a few other sweaters. At last the masterpiece was finished. When my youngest daughter put it on, I almost strutted.

She told everyone that her Mom had made her sweater. It was difficult to get it off her to wash. The second time I went to wash it, I was horrified.  Right on the front of this beautiful, pastel sweater was a large, horrible, red spot. It would not come off. My youngest told me that it was red paint from a pottery painting set. 

My work was destroyed. For weeks, the sweater just sat in the laundry room. I did not have the heart to throw it out.

The Bible tells us that we are made in the image of God. How sad God must be when He sees His handiwork marred by sin. God expects to see His own reflection but so often, He sees big globs of ugliness. 

Thank God the story does not end there. The Bible says, “The blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin” (I John 1:17).

We need to apply the blood of Jesus to our lives. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).

One day my daughter was visiting in a friend’s home. While there, she heard them speak of a cure-all substance for paint stains. She asked if she could take some home to her mother to try on her ruined sweater.

The request was granted and I was under pressure to try this substance out on the sweater. 

I could have chosen to leave the paint remover where it was saying that such a thing was impossible. Perhaps I could have put things off until another day. But, at the insistence of my daughter, we quickly tried it out. It worked. The sweater was as good as new.

We sometimes treat the Lord like that paint remover. We are skeptical. Or, we put Him on a shelf, planning to try Him out in the future. But, those who take the time, find that He does remove the sin and frees us to be God’s handiwork again. 

The song writer, John Peterson, put it so aptly:

In the image of God, we were made long ago

With the purpose divine, here His glory to show;

But we failed Him one day and like sheep went astray

Thinking not of the cost, we, His likeness, had lost.

But from eternity, God had in mind

The work of Calvary – the lost to find.

From His heaven so broad, Christ came down earth to trod

So that men might live again in the image of God.

Rev. Lorna Casselman

Interim Pastor

Morrisburg Pentecostal 

Tabernacle

[…]

 

Men's Practical Guide to Valentine's Day!

No need to panic. February 14 is tomorrow. There’s still time to locate the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your significant other. 

However, I should point out that, fair or not, the onus for creating a perfect romantic Day, falls squarely on men’s shoulders. Sorry, guys, but that’s just the way it is. It’s up to you to make this whole hearts and flowers thing work, at least on this one day of the year.

On the bright side, somehow get the right gift, and you might just be able to slide on all those past forgotten anniversaries and birthdays. Choose the wrong gift… well, you recall those -25 C nights this winter? Think colder. And longer.

Practical Rule One: Flowers are always nice. However, you may have waited a little too long to pick some up. The flower shops could be cleaned out. This may, therefore, necessitate an emergency run to the grocery store. 

Under no circumstances, pick up a bouquet that is marked “50 per cent off. Priced for quick sale,” and then forget to take the tag off. And let me emphasize, that if you are trying to “say it with flowers,” presenting her with a cactus is always a mistake.

Practical Rule Two: Never give a woman something she needs on Valentine’s Day (exceptions, a pass to an exclusive spa, a Caribbean cruise). Now you may think a new dish drainer and a scrub brush are just the thing. Wrong. A friend of mine once presented his wife with a sander for Valentine’s Day. He honestly thought she needed one.

He earnestly assures me that he spent about a month, rather worried about just what she was planning to…sand.

No, your gift must be something she wants, something she dreams of. Good luck.

Practical Rule Three: Giving your beloved tickets to a very special event, one that she might even share with you, has potential. However, you need to think this through. Handing her an envelope with “Honey, I got us the last two tickets to Fuzzy McBeard’s seminar, Ripping Tales of the Moose Hunt,” might be a mistake.

Practical Rule Four: Chocolate. Not the ‘three bars for a buck’, but something European, decadent. Do not, however, under any circumstances, jovially remark, as you present the candy, “A few extra laps on the old exercise bike will soon get those extra pounds off.”

Practical Rule Five: The romantic, candle-lit, home-made dinner. Make certain that pizza delivery boxes and/or crumpled fast food bags are not on the counter. Get down the cook book your grandmother gave you 20 years ago (still in the original wrapper) and puzzle out one of the exciting recipes, written in a language with which you are completely unfamiliar.

This could be the evening your beloved and you will never forget. Especially if the two of you get to spend it with the local volunteer fire department. 

Still, as a consolation, now, at least, you will know what the term flambé means.

[…]

 

When one is on the far side of 50 (sliding downhill even), it’s a bet that reasonable people might be forgiven for asking, “Why on earth did you ever take up tap dancing? Aren’t you the person who thinks using the television remote constitutes a full upper body workout? At your age, what the heck possessed you?”

To them all I say simply that I decided to take up tap dancing because I needed to get involved in some form of exercise, and no one wanted me on the Olympic Ski Team.

I enrolled in adult tap.

The other women in my tap class are perhaps a little younger than me (about two and a half decades). And they are each a little, shall we say, smaller, than me (about the size of my left thigh.)

They have all taken tap for some time, and most come to class in form fitting tights and tops. I tend to appear in those elasticized, ‘comfort-fit’ pants and men’s extra-extra-large t-shirts. 

Nonetheless, I am determined to get into shape through dance.

Actually, just bending over to try and get the tight buckles on my tap heels done up equals a full pre-class warm up for me.

Each week for months now we have extensively worked on steps like the frappé, shuffle ball change,  the brush, cramp, buffalo and Susie Q. And you know, just as soon as I can remember what any of those terms actually means, I’ll be fine. Currently, I struggle along about two taps behind everybody else in the chorus line: I would like to point out, in my defense, that it used to be four.

What I have primarily learned about tap recitals (yes, a recital!) is that you have to wear a costume. Recitals are an important high point of the dance school year, and hundreds of family and friends fill the hall to watch the performances.

Now that my teacher has firmly established that I must actually dance in front of the back drop curtain at the recital, I find I must also wear a costume. My class mates were very keen on the dance catalogue selections: short, strapless, backless frocks with lots of ruffles and glitter. Their suggestions were eye-catching. Youthful. Small. I mentioned that the last dress slacks I purchased carried a label that said ‘House of Omar the Tent Maker.’

We’ve actually compromised on a kind of 1920’s look for our recital number, complete with plenty of fringe. Still, in idle moments, I find myself imagining what the audience will be thinking if I get all that fringe swinging and swaying on stage, still two beats behind everyone else. Perhaps prairie wheat fields in a gale? Sigh.

The thing is, I like tap dancing. Really like it. I intend to go on.

Still, if I can’t get the choreography in the adult number down a little better by spring, I  secretly fear being ‘sent to the minors’ as it were: i.e. the junior tap class. 

This class is made up of five-year-old girls, with pig tails and pink tutus. 

I might stand out.

[…]

 

Transformed in Love

We are coming up to the last Sunday before Lent which is known as Transfiguration Sunday.  Then Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 13.  The next day is February 14th.

Have you either seen or purchased for your children or grandchildren, nephews, nieces, or just other children, those figures called transformers?  

With a flick of the hand and wrist the transformer can change from a vehicle into a human figure or any combination of figures.  

Some of the time the transformers according to popular children’s culture do good or sometimes the transformer is a destructive one.

When we read the story of Jesus and his disciples going up the mountain to pray and get ready for the journey to Jerusalem, there appear Elijah and Moses, perhaps in reference to the Law and Prophets of Judaism.  Jesus is transformed before the eyes of his disciples.  The glory of Jesus and Elijah and Moses is grand enough that disciple Peter wants the whole tableau to be housed in dwellings.

Each day we may be open to transfiguration through Christ as well. 

It is Jesus’ love for God that moves him down the mountain to begin the long road to Jerusalem. 

 It is God’s love for us and our love for God that prompts us to pray and seek the counsel of others as we begin difficult and happy journeys.  

The voice that the disciples heard concerning Jesus includes us.  You are God’s beloved, and God’s ever abiding presence will be with you this day and always.  

As we are transformed in God’s love then we can share that love transformation with others, and so we will all be about a new heaven and a new earth.  

Blessings for Lent and Valentine’s Day.

 

Rev. Arlyce Schiebout

Lakeshore United Church

Morrisburg

[…]

 

February 2nd-At Last

It has come and it has gone; that day in the year that many of us look forward to without our even realizing it. 

February 2nd is known in the church as Candlemas or the Festival Day of the Candles – the day that all the candles that are used in the church for the coming year are blessed. 

Candles were used in the church in times past as a method of lighting but people also believed that they gave protection against illness and famine. For Christians candles are a reminder that Jesus is the light of the world.

Candlemas is also associated with the prediction of weather. If the weather is bright and sunny, more wintery weather is on the way. If the day is cloudy, the worst of the winter weather is behind us. 

In Canada and the United States we attribute these predictions to ground hogs – Wiarton Willie in Ontario and Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania, hence Ground Hog Day being celebrated on February 2nd.

February 2nd is the day of winter that marks the midway point between the shortest day of the winter and the spring equinox! 

So, my friends, it is now a downward slide to spring! 

The number of hours of sunshine is increasing noticeably and the “normal” temperatures should now be on the rise. We have made it better than halfway!

But as I rejoice about the coming of spring, I must keep in mind that through the coming days, beginning on February 13th we will find ourselves observing Lent once again. 

We will walk that journey together again as we prepare ourselves for an exceptionally early Easter this year.  

As you give some thought to the coming of spring also give some thought to what your Lenten discipline will be this year – “self-examination, penitence, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, reading and meditating on the word of God.” However you choose to observe

Lent, remember the “Light of the World” and how he has made a difference in your life.

Cheers,

Sue+

Rev. Sue McCullough

Anglican Parish of Morrisburg, Iroquois & Riverside Heights

[…]

God is always present

In 1984 there was a primetime television show that aired that captured audiences attention. Perhaps because the family scenarios that took place were familiar patterns of conflict in any family.

The Bill Cosby Show demonstrated to us how to resolve family tensions through the portrayals of the characters on view. Humour was a large part of the scenes, and as we look back at those shows now, we see other dimensions of “family life”. 

We sometimes neglect or forget altogether, when trying to resolve conflict, that we all need to have some elements of patience and trust, mindfulness and flexibility.

Another modern philosopher, Erma Bombeck, in her column, “if I had my life to live over again”  wrote words like; “there would have been more I love yous, more I am sorry, but mostly, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it, live it and never give it back.”

I believe that God calls each one of us by name. God always calls us in love, even the times when we have made mistakes or done something we shouldn`t have done. 

God always says I love you   . . . . . . (insert your own name.)  we are claimed by him as part of his family  –  his sister and brother and mother, part of the kingdom, drawn into the inner circle of the mystery of the grace and love of God.  

During difficult times in family life, we need to remember that God is always present to love us and guide us and make each day of our lives count for something good in His kingdom.

Pastor Norine +

Rev. Norine Gullons  

South Dundas Evangelical

Lutheran Parish

Morrisburg/Williamsburg

[…]

 

Depressed, You Are Not Alone

My heart aches for people who are depressed. I’ve been there. It’s no fun. 

Actually, it was easily the worst experience of my life. It was like living in a black hole. I felt helpless and hopeless, pretty much hating life. All my buddies were having the time of their lives (or so it seemed), and I was living in this dark world on my own.

The sad thing was no one had a clue what I was going through. I didn’t think anyone would understand, and I probably didn’t think they’d really care anyway.

What made it worse was that I didn’t know what in the world I was going through. Nor did I know what to do about it.

There were times when I was tempted to just end it all. It was probably a good thing that the small college I was studying at only had low buildings. I realized that jumping from them probably wouldn’t do the job.

Looking back, I still don’t understand why I went through what I did. 

Doctors talk about depression being caused by chemical imbalances. They say they can be triggered by everyday stuff like stress and tiredness. Or by going through other tough things. Me, I can’t pinpoint what made me so depressed.

What I have learned since is that I’m hardly the only one who’s struggled this way. 

I’m told that about one out of every five young people will suffer from depression. Many of these will have suicidal thoughts. Far more will attempt it than most of us realize. And what’s so desperately sad are the numbers who will succeed.

Considering what I went through myself, I now know that there were better ways of handling it. I wish I would have had the courage to talk to others and would have realized that there were people around who cared. And I wish I would have asked for professional help. I regret that I went through it alone.

Likewise today it breaks my heart to read of the Amanda Todds and all those who go through awful times or severe depressions. I ache for those who think there’s no way out but to end it all. 

The truth is that for all of us there are people who will listen; there are those who care, and there are qualified people who can help like doctors and guidance counselors.

One other thing that kept me going in my own dark tunnel was that I always had a vague sense that I wasn’t completely alone. I knew that there was a God in heaven who still loved me. 

Sure, I couldn’t figure out why he didn’t just make my sadness go away. I wondered why he didn’t answer my prayers just to make me happy again. But I did feel that there was hope. That someday the sun would shine again. And thankfully it did.

Depression is common and more so at this time of the year. So let’s be caring and sensitive to those around us. 

I love the quote attributed to Plato: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” 

Let’s also listen carefully and ask questions of our loved ones. Look and listen for changes in sleep patterns, eating habits, withdrawal, and sadness. Follow-up when they talk of suicide or death, when they get rid of their things, or when they quit stuff they used to enjoy.

And if it’s us who are depressed… wondering if we can go on, please talk. Please don’t go it alone. 

Know there really are people around who care and that can help. And know that God does love you dearly. With help, with him, you do have a brighter future. Better days will come. 

Like me, you’ll look back one day and say, “Whew. Thank God I got through that.”

Pastor Clarence Witten

Community Christian 

Reformed Church

Dixon’s Corners

[…]

 

The Way We Live

The difference between the culture of God’s people, and the cultures of the world, must be clearly manifest. It is this clarity that allows for an informed choice, by those who would repent of their sin and turn in genuine faith to God for salvation. 

If the difference is not clear the choice cannot be clear. The free will of man is not served by the unclearness of the issue. If men, being free moral agents, will be able to make a self obligating moral choice, they must understand the issue without ambiguity. 

Therefore the Lord says, “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts: And let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:7-9

The forsaking of one’s way of thinking, and way of doing things, is a major decision. But it is the decision called for in both the Old and New Testaments. It is certain that man’s way of thinking and God’s way of thinking, concerning matters of righteousness, do not agree. 

Notice that in God’s salvation appeal to the wicked and unrighteous, the forsaking of thoughts and ways, precedes the returning and receiving of mercy and abundant pardon. 

This reminds me of a time that a young man came to me asking how he could be saved. I asked him if he was ready to repent of his sin and he assured me that he was a “pretty good person.” 

But if one would attain to righteousness by his own efforts he must be perfect. Jesus admonishes us in the sermon on the mount, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) 

It seemed in the young man’s way of thinking, that in comparison with others he must surely qualify for God’s salvation. But according to Isaiah such thinking is to be forsaken, because by holding such thoughts one fails to “return unto the Lord,” continuing to trust in his own works for salvation.

But the bases for mercy and abundant pardon may not be found in the good works of men for Isaiah also says, “But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;  (Isaiah 64:6) Therefore we must look elsewhere for any righteousness we may attain to. 

So we are thankful that Jesus Christ has come, living the perfect life before the Father, that we could not; and by sacrificing His life, that was not deserving of death, Jesus has provided eternal salvation for all who will put their trust in Him. In Jesus we find the mercy and abundant pardon of God. (Romans 6:17-23)

As Christians we must keep the issue clear, and openly demonstrate the difference Jesus Christ has made in our lives. The way we think, and what we do, must demonstrate the difference to be expected by one who returns to the Lord. We must manifest the clear and present choice that is before the free will of each person every day.

Rev. George T. Frey, 

Faith Christian Center 

Morrisburg 

[…]

Always Be Ready

Well, here we are, a brand new year, 2013. We are not supposed to be here according to some wag. December 21, 2012, it was supposed to be all over. But we’ve heard these stories before, haven’t we?

I don’t know why it is that some people are so foolish as to claim to know something that even Jesus, the Son of God, said it wasn’t His to know.

In Matthew 24:36, we read Jesus’ words, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son but My Father only.”

Jesus’ words were in response to questions from His disciples as to when the end of the age would be.

The problem with all these presumptions is the danger that comes to us when nothing happens. People get to the place of ignoring anything that is said about the world coming to an end.

And that is a danger because it will come to an end some day when God, who created it all, determines that it is time.

Sinful humanity will one day be judged, Satan will be bound and God will make all things new where there will be no sin, no sickness, no dying.

That’s the promise of God.

Of course, those who have believed on His Son for the forgiveness of sin need not fear, we will be with God in His glorious kingdom.

Maybe you are thinking, “I’ve heard all of this foolishness before.”

May I encourage you to take a few moments to read 2Peter 3:1-16 and know that God knows. Back to Matthew 24, Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my word will by no means pass away.”

I don’t know when the world as we know it will come to an end, and I don’t worry about it either. My hope is in Jesus Christ who tells me if I believe on Him that is, if I come to Him confessing my sins and trusting in Him to cleanse me from all sin, which He promises to do, that I need not worry about what happens in this life because He has gone back to His Father in Heaven to prepare a place for me and he will come again for me that I may be where He is, John 14:1-3.

That can also be true for you, for everyone. All you have to do is confess your sins, turn from your old ways of living to satisfy self and follow Jesus. I trust you will make that choice and believe in God, who knows all things.

For the past number of years, I have truly enjoyed writing this Perspectives Column as Pastor at the Morrisburg Pentecostal Tabernacle. Although, as of December 30, 2012, I have retired from full time pastoral ministry I will continue to do so, along with other members of our clergy here in South Dundas. 

I wish God’s blessing on you and your families.

Maybe we’ll see each other around, as I do have eight good reasons to be around here.

God bless each of you for your kind words over the years. You will not soon be forgotten. 

Rev. Duncan Perry,

Morrisburg

Pentecostal Tabernacle

Editor’s Note: All of us here at The Leader wish Rev. Perry all the best in his retirement years, and, yes, we look forward to seeing him out and about in the community. 

We thank Rev. Perry for his many years of penning a Perspectives column and look forward to his continued efforts. We also welcome interim Pentecostal pastor, Rev. Lorna Casselman who will be joining our Perspectives Column writers.

[…]

 

HEY! Unto You a Child is Born

On this eighth day of Christmas what did your true love give to you? Eight maids a-milking?? I highly doubt it. 

But I’ll bet that since the 25th of December you haven’t thought a whole lot about what God has given to you. Hence, the reminder at the top.

If you were to ask any member of any of the congregations of the parish I serve, you would discover that I am a stickler for observing Advent – to me that means Christmas music waits until Christmas. 

The secular world has told us that the Christmas season begins when Hallowe’en is over. The Christmas music begins at the beginning of November and on the 25th of December it stops. It’s done. It’s over.

People have forgot that Christmas begins on the 25th of December and continues into January when on the 5th of January we celebrate the 12th Night – you remember the twelve days of Christmas, right? 

I love Christmas, and I love to hear the music of Christmas. I listen to the music throughout the Christmas season, regardless of what the secular world tells me. 

It reminds me into the new year, through all the noise and chaos in my life and all the chaos in the world that, hey, unto me, unto us a child is born.

As your life continues on into 2013, recollect the gift that God so lovingly and generously gave.

We are better people for him. The world is a better place for him. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and may God continue to fill your life with blessings in 2013.

Oh, and by the way, we are having a little 12th Night/Epiphany Potluck Party at St. James’ on the 5th of January. If you want to hear Christmas music, we will be singing Christmas music.

Come on along with your favourite potluck dish and join us in the singing. . . .oh, and did I mention the ever popular Epiphany Party Quiz?????

Cheers,

Sue+

Rev. Sue McCullough

Anglican Parish of 

Morrisburg, Iroquois 

& Riverside Heights

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