Thoughts

Thoughts

General blog thoughts & musings

Watch For the Light

Using a book and a song, Pastor Marc reflects on how we might start watching for light in the world, rather than focussing on the darkness we see easily and often.

Helping our children embrace faith

This morning I came across an article in the latest edition of Faith Today (May/June 2017**) called“Help Your Kids Embrace the Faith.” It’s a short article reflecting on the experience and findings of a 22-year-old Christian in relation to the question, Why do some children remain faithful to God and why do others rebel?  As parents we want more than anything for our children to commit themselves to Jesus and his kingdom. But we fear this not happening, so we…

Trust & God’s Promises

But then they rejected the land that was so desirable.  They didn’t trust God’s promise.” ~Psalm 106:24 As I sit here reading this passage, I find myself shaking my head at the Israelites and wonder, ‘After all they had seen, how could they not trust God’s promises?!’  But as quickly as I judge, I hesitate, and wonder how often I am just like them?  How often in my life, do I not trust God’s promises? I have seen first hand how…

Beautiful day to reflect

Clary Nelson passed away last winter and the family decided to wait until the weather was warmer to hold a committal service. Well today we gathered to commit her remains to the earth from which it came. What a glorious day it was too. Warm, not too hot out. The sky was big and blue, and the expanse of the earth held so many variations of green. It was impressive. I spent the morning reflecting on Clary’s story and how…

Faith

My daily bible reading took me to Hebrews 11.  The familiar chapter about ‘faith’ and the amazing faith of our forefathers.  Right at the beginning of the chapter is this verse that is so familiar to me, but it hit me in a new way today.  Verse 6 (in The Message): It’s impossible to please God apart from faith.  And why?  Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to…

Healing Today

You know the church’s history of praying for healing for people has been a bit of a come and go thing over the past 2000 years. There are seasons where we practice it well and then there are seasons of quiet. We see seasons of incredible miracles and then we see nothing for a hundred or so years. While that may be a part of our past story, there is biblical reason to believe that it can be a helpful part…

Praying for the sick

Last Sunday we talked about faith and how it gets tough to keep praying especially when we have had a few “No” answers from God. Well, some of you have started to ask some good deeper questions, the sorts of things we’ve talked about before, but maybe it’s time to revisit some of those themes. So the next two Sundays we will explore a bit about prayer and God and healing and the role of the church in that stuff.…

One Church, Many Parts

I sit here trying to warm my hands on a cup of hot tea as the snow slowly falls outside the office window. And I wait for the final bit of bulletin information to come in via email. Somewhere, just a Pacific Ocean away, the real church admin assistant is undoubtedly enjoying a tall, cold drink as she walks barefoot on the sandy beaches of Maui, the wind gently blowing through her hair, the warmth making her cheeks just a…

Remembrance Day

Take a moment today to reflect on those who have fought for our freedom, and to pray for those in our armed forces.   In Flanders Field,  by Canadian John McCrae In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were…

A Thanksgiving Song

Thanksgiving – a time to celebrate with your family & friends.  For the harvest and for the blessings & provisions that God has given – whether you’re a farmer or not – it IS a good thing to give thanks to God in all things. The following is a hymn written back in 1865.  Take a moment to read the words and really ‘hear’ what they’re saying.  May this hymn be your prayer of thanksgiving this year. Come, You Thankful…

Refreshment after a busy week

It’s been a busy week here in the office.  For you too?  Are you busy in the fields?  Or busy homeschooling your kids?   Or involved in a big project at work that is taking all of your time & energy?  Or been fighting the many sicknesses that have been going around? Or – or – or…there’s just countless things to do in a week, isn’t there?  However your week as gone, let me encourage you that Sunday – our…
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