RESTORING LIFE FOUNDATION
ISSUE 4
The wounded person’s guide to Unity Step out! Move Out! Get out of your box! Unity and Disability Unity is strength
One in the Vine The Envelope
Our Faith in Christ makes use equal The Work in Progress Small steps in Faith The whole story The heart of God I am calling forth a holy people
RESTORING LIFE FOUNDATION
Contents 6.
MAGAZINE
Issue 4 - October 2013
Unity is strength
10. Step out!
Move Out! Get out of your box!
14. One in the Vine 16. The wounded person’s guide to Unity 18.The whole story—the heart of God 26. Unity and Disability 32. I am calling forth
a holy people
36. Our faith in Christ makes use equal 40. The Work in Progress—Small steps in Faith 46. The Envelope
COPYRIGHT © RESTORING LIFE FOUNDATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Copyright of articles and photographs in Restoring Life Foundation Magazine remain with the original contributors, No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission. Applications should be made directly to www.restoringlifefoundation.org
The importance of Unity So often the last words of our loved ones become important messages for those they leave behind. Unity was one of the last things Jesus prayed for His disciples prior to going to the cross. In that prayer Jesus said that if the disciples were unified the world would know that they and we belong to Him. How poignant that turned out to be for the still disjointed group of believers. Especially in light of Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial coupled with the crucifixion of Christ which would test the disciples ability to be unified. divisions in the body of Christ like, denomination, gender, ethnic identity will be all swept Whilst In the end only Judas was lost out of way. Praise God that in the final scenes of the original twelve, in the months and years mans history recorded in the book of Revelathat followed the cry from heaven for unity tion, every nation, language and tribe are prehas continued; as Christians have been perse- sent, none have been excluded or denied access cuted and killed through the ages, the exploto the grace of God. Now is the time to pursion of the gospel has been secured through sue the unity Jesus prayed that we would opChristians operating in a unified Spirit of erate in, as we do we will become more attracChrist. tive to those lost in the world, bringing light to the truth of love and expressing it through I question whether we will ever be able to unity. reach the world for Jesus Christ, claiming that God is love without us His representatives being fully committed to reflecting that love This edition of the restoring Life foundation through unity in all our dealings with each magazine has a special on unity, as always a other. This is a high order and alone we will big thank you goes out to all our contributors. never be able to accomplish it. However along I hope that as you peruse the contents you will with Jesus' prayer found in John is the prom- take steps to live a more unified life as a Chrisise of the Holy Spirit who is powerful enough tian. to enable us to do all things including be unified. One day all the lines that currently cause God bless you until next time...
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PART 2
Unity is strength
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
By Rev Pearl Dyer and Cheryl Ridener
Unity is strength The word unity means joining, bringing together, supporting, encouraging, a common purpose or action, which of course enhances, thus bringing together massive changes for a common good. In today’s world we see people starting out from actually nothing in life, a business starting from scratch, and suddenly, what a great change, as a powerful empire appears. How did this all happen? Let’s face it, all of this could not happen overnight, or single handed, but different skills, experiences and resources which people bring together are necessary, so as to make what appears to be nothing initially, a huge success. Through scripture we can see unity at work as God in His goodness creates the heavens, the earth and everything within it. We can also see Unity at work for evil as mankind builds Babel in rebellion against God. One thing we know for sure is that Unity is a powerful medium through which great change can be accomplished either to glorify God or not. In everyday life, we have schools, teachers, parents, all of whom when working together with purpose, can bring about great change in the lives of children, and indeed the nation. We also see this sense of unity at work in the animal world as animals work together to accomplish great feats such as a lion pack working together to source food. Or different species working together to protect their young, for example in African game parks you might see Giraffes, Zebra, Impala and Blue Wildebeest grazing together.
The giraffe has a height advantage which enables it to see longer distances and therefore spot danger when it is further away. These smaller mammals can watch for movements in the Giraffe that might point them to impending danger. These are different species, that have learnt the value of working together. We too have learnt the value of unifying the strength of animals for a greater purpose. We have found that one individual horse can pull an 8,000 pound load, whilst another horse might pull a 9,000 pound load. However by joining them together, we have found that 
8,000 + 9,000 is not a combined pulling weight of 17,000.
 A good team of two horses working together, can pull 28,000 pounds. 
That is 11,000 pounds more than they can individually pull. Unity as believers in the body of Christ can to create an environment of love, safety where we too are able to accomplish great exploits for the Kingdom of God, and thereby recognise that truly unity is strength.
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Step out! Move Out! Get out of your box! Step out! Move Out! Get out of your box! Trash that box, you don’t need it anymore. Move out into Me, I am the only limits and boundaries you need now. My plan, that’s how. Inhale! Exhale! Stretch, feel the liberty! This is the real you, the true you, the one that I created you to be. New energy, new enthusiasm, new zeal in Me, in Me. Zest for life, My life, you have found it, in Me! No holding back, you are in the stretch now, give it all you’ve got. I will be your second wind, sprint for the goal. Much to be gained now, more freedom, more ground. Go for the gusto, you were made and prepared, set up if you will, for this time, this day, this hour.
Take that cap of mindsets off, it binds your thoughts. That nasty old thing, where did you get it and why are you still wearing it, when you can wear this crown? I have much better things for you than you can want for yourself. All I ask is that you throw away that past, everything must go; new day, new way, no more old, it’s mouldy, it’s been there too long. My way today and you will see a new day unfold. It is needful that you have a change of heart and a change of thinking to go on. The old will hold you back; it put those limits on you. I have broken the shackles, but you have to walk free from them. Do you see how new this day is; how wide, how broad? Did you put your crown on yet? It will help you conceive, believe; it is the crown of life and it will change your thinking. New mindsets, new goals, new dreams, things you have never even considered will come into your view, the things that have been held in reserve for you, for this time. You see I did not make the gifts apart from you, all this was together when I dreamed My dream and made My design. As Adam was before the fall, that is what My Son won for you. I am still waiting for the dream to come true and it will in you. I believe, do you? By Rose Provencher
What kind of boxes have been shaping your life?
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Consolation You are my vine lord I am the fruit You are the leaves and sap The tendrils and root. You give strength in my growing And embody your love In the power from the sun's rays Which shines from above.
You are my chalice lord your blood I shall drink you've shown me the right way the correct way to think. To love my neighbour as much as I love you living in harmony in peace and light too.
You are my peace lord When I lay to my rest Consoled, you watch over me You are my strength lord With you I am blessed. You and I are one Deriving from you Together we'll walk life’s path a power so strong On this journey begun. United in love lord Because I love you ...with you I belong. And l will until the end Then we'll begin a new life together By Sally A Sinclair My Saviour and friend. You are my shield lord My protection in pain By my side when I’m lonely You help sadness to wane. Surrounded in tenderness Your hands hold me fast To replace sadness with joy lord Your kind of joy lasts.
Reflections on Consolation How does the imagery of being fruit on the vine create a sense of unity?
________________________ ________________________ ________________________
Does your fruit express a love for God?
________________________
What are you doing to re-connect to the vine or to stay connected to the vine?
________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________
The wounded person’s guide to
Unity Whilst we all get wounded from time to time some people are perpetual victims being controlled by their circumstances and other people. Unity is affected when we allow our wounding to affect our ability to forgive and be reconciled. We most act like God when we don’t allow life to pull us apart from each other despite the things others do and say to us. If we begin to put into action some of the approaches mentioned here we will discover that it is possible to remain unified even in the face of difficulties.
W
hen we are inflicted by an injury of any kind our natural inclination is to withdraw and tend to the injury. For minor cuts and grazes that might mean applying a cleansing antiseptic solution followed by a plaster (band-aid for our American readers) While that is fine when you are dealing with a minor flesh wound, many of us use a different tack for dealing with a soul wound. So how should a wounded person maintain unity in relationships while they are being healed?
rates close friends” if you want to retain the relationship and unity don’t do it. If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back (Matthew 18:15).
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Holding your tongue My mother often reminded me when I was growing up that ‘it is the answer that brings the problem’. For a while that used to trouble me until I realised that even if someone else allowed something hurtful to come out of their mouth; I didn’t have to come in agreement with their words nor did I have to Stopping wounds from festering Allowing wounds to fester can be deallow their words to dictate what mine would structive – This is true with any kind of be. Now I can see “A soft answer turns away injury. An oozing wound is an infected wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Provwound, and fractures in relationship will begin erbs 15:1 (ESV) If you want to remain united to ooze, if the defilement, is allowed time and and in good relationship with others learn to the right environment to grow. We are told in hold your tongue and speak only those things scripture not to allow the sun to go down on that edify and are good to build others up our anger for a reason. Going to bed with anger (Ephesians 4:29). can lead to sleeplessness, as you toss back and forth on your bed deliberating what she/he did Stop a fight before it starts to you, you are not only likely to wake in the A hothead stirs up a fight, but one who morning feeling lousy, but also to see the probholds his temper calms disputes. Provlem as being much more serious than it is. Reerbs 15:18 You have a choice to either search by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center on pour oil or water on the fire, water will quench the effects sleep had on memories of negative it, oil will ignite it further. If you are a hothead, experience shows that emotionally charged events were more likely to be fully remembered pour out your pain to God and ask Him to pour His living water to quench the heart burn you after a night’s sleep than those that were not emotionally charged. This is due to the consoli- are experiencing. dation process that occurs of the days’ events while we sleep. Be wise and don't sin by letting Want to be reconciled not right anger control you." Don't let the sun go down Jesus was prepared to put up with many while you are still angry,” Ephesians 4:26 (NLT) difficult things on the earth, because His primary motivation was wanting to Avoid Gossiping like cancer Avoid sharing an offence with anyone, bring God glory. If we want to glorify God we will at times go through trouble and hardship. (apart from God of course,) before you Forgiving a person of their offence against you take it to the person who has injured is the first step to being reconnected in unity you. While love covers a multitude of sins (1 and love, reconciliation is impossible without it. Peter 4:8); exposing the sins of another against Jesus died that we might be reconciled with the you without first giving them the opportunity to discuss it, or repent is a big no-no. If you do, Father; sometimes we need to die to ourselves in order to be reconciled with others. The questhe person you expose might dig up some of your own dirt and soon there could be in an all tion you need to ask is do I want to be right or out mud-slinging match. Gossip is like the ad- reconciled. Have a heart for God’s glory, and vanced stages of cancer, just when you think it bear in mind that you can only be like Jesus if reconciliation is a higher priority than being is eradicated, up it pops in another region. As Proverbs 17:9 says “someone who gossips sepa- right.
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The Whole Story
Luke10:25-37
The
Heart Of
God
By Ilka Dziengel
Luke10:25-32 25
Then an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. He said, “Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?”
27
The man answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ Also, ‘Love your neighbour the same as you love yourself.’”
30
To answer this question, Jesus said, “A man was going down the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. Some robbers surrounded him, tore off his clothes, and beat him. Then they left him lying there on the ground almost dead.
26
Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you understand from it?”
28
Jesus said, “Your answer is right. Do this and you will have eternal life.” 29
But the man wanted to show that the way he was living was right. So he said to Jesus, “But who is my neighbour?” 31
“It happened that a Jewish priest was going down that road. When he saw the man, he did not stop to help him. He walked away. 32 Next, a Levite came near. He saw the hurt man, but he went around him. He would not stop to help him either. He just walked away.
L u k e 1 0 : 33 - 3 7
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“Then a Samaritan man travelled down that road. He came to the place where the hurt man was lying. He saw the man and felt very sorry for him. 34 The Samaritan went to him and poured olive oil and wine on his wounds. Then he covered the man’s wounds with cloth. The Samaritan had a donkey. He put the hurt man on his donkey, and he took him to an inn. There he cared for him.
36
Then Jesus said, “Which one of these three men do you think was really a neighbour to the man who was hurt by the robbers?”
37
The teacher of the law answered, “The one who helped him.”
Love thy neighbour
35
The next day, the Samaritan took out two silver coins and gave them to the man who worked at the inn. He said, ‘Take care of this hurt man. If you spend more money on him, I will pay it back to you when I come again.’”
Jesus said, “Then you go and do the same.”
...as thyself
Symbols for interpreting the painting Blue sky = The World is still “fine” and the Innocence as he approaches his journey Dark sky above robbers and the lightning the judgement of God on them, but also how dismal it was now for he who had set out on his journey Light-coloured robe of the Jewish man how went down from Jerusalem to Jericho Slant Walls Wrong idea/misconceptions and justifications No Face (only Tallit) Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image... (Exodus 20.4) -> Jesus The Heart Formed by the Arms of the lawyer and Jesus Colour dark red = Heart blood / Passion / Devotion / Empathy / Zeal Colour pink = Opposite of the Characteristics of dark red Colour White Colour inside the sleeve of Jesus: To help without expecting anything / without Falseness or Hypocrisy (What will I get back if I’ll help?) Priest and Levite have, like the Lawyer, pink Sleeve: They are not helping and crossing the Street. The outward appearance is important for them. Matt. 23.1-36 The Sleeves of the Samaritan are same colour as the Sleeves of Jesus. Would he stand facing Jesus it would be a dark red colour Heart: Symbol of the Will of GOD, what HE want us to do. The Hands Light-coloured Hands = Theory Dark Hands = Practice - dirty, because he is treating/tackling! Jesus points out His Finger to the Lawyer and urge him/us! to get active. No longer walking with pink Sleeves. Change Thinking and Acting Beaten Man If you are in this situation: Get Help! Don´t stay a alone! As you are loving to help others — so also allow others to help you! Love …. thy neighbour as thyself Lawyer Slant Walls down till the Belly and no Deeds on his Side, 10 Commandments behind him. He represents us! How do we read and response to the Word of GOD?
Applying the principles behind this parable are key to living in God inspired unity. Will you spend some time asking the question am I loving my neighbour as myself ?
Unity and Disability Whilst scripture boldly proclaims that there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free person, man nor woman, for we are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28), our present reality reveals that we in the church reflect divisiveness similar to the communities we stem from. In reality we are not only divided along ethnic, gender and class lines, but also regarding issues of the able bodied and disablement. This matter has been especially highlighted to me this year as I met and worked with two women with very different needs, and the very different experiences they had as they connected with their local body of believers.
Jane’s Story Jane (not her real name) was in her twenties when I met her, the spark that she once had, had faded but a shadow of it still existed. This university graduate’s talent in rugby had taken a turn for the worse. As Rugby
Captain of the university’s team, she was extremely competitive and a top
class student, however following a sporting accident which broke her spine and left her wheelchair bound, her plans for a fast paced life were shelved. Easily tired and in need of help to do even the most minor task, Jane’s desire for adventure was hampered. Through the months that followed the accident, Jane searched for meaning in her life, and reconnected to the faith of her youth. Although raised as a Christian, Jane’s success had taken Gods place and priority, now confused by the accident, and displaced from her friends and lifestyle Jane slowly began to take small steps towards God and grow in her to trust for Him to bring her through this dire calamity.
Longing for connection
Finding strength to carry on Jane began attending her local church, and whilst she enjoyed the Sunday services, she had a desire to connect with the congregation and in particular the young people at her church in a deeper way. Her limited mobility meant that joining an already established house group would be near impossible, so she approached the leadership with her desire to be more fully involved with her church and asked about the possibility of them having a house group based at her home. This was flatly refused.
Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over
you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:14
Next Jane asked the church whether they would come and anoint her for healing (James 5:14), to which the leadership, stalled for several months ignoring both written and verbal communications around the matter then gave the reply of needing to pray to seek Gods will about it. Over the course of about a year many more attempts were made by Jane to try to get an audience with someone in the leadership, or someone in the body so she could become fully integrated into the body of believers, but all without success, or any indication of care or concern. The leaders never visited Jane to pray for her, nor did they address her concerns about integration into the body of believers. Jane eventually withdrew from this church and is seeking a church geared up to show Gods love to her in more practical ways.
In an age of Para-Olympians, should we still feel powerless around people with disabilities? Should or do they deserve special treatment? What should we do when we don’t see miraculous healings, does Gods apparent failure to move on behalf of the disabled mean that we lack faith or is there another answer? The 2012 Para-Olympics gave us a picture of just what is possible even for those missing limbs or suffering from other disabilities. In an age where the human body is being stretched to greater and greater lengths is it time for the church to wake up and begin to respond to the needs of those who are less able bodied or challenged in others ways. Can we be the hands and feet of Jesus in a way that echoes God’s cry for unity? Whilst most new church builds offer access and facilities that accommodate able and disabled members of the community, many historic church buildings are yet to be refurbished to include wheelchair access and facilities. However wheelchairs access might be the beginning but definitely not the end to the
needs of the group labelled ‘disabled’. From where I stand it is just one part of a much larger picture. A desire to provide for extra care for those with challenges along the autistic spectrum can be widely different when compared to someone with blindness or deafness, each has their own needs and rather than be seen as an optional extra that is sometimes provided I believe tending to the needs of the flock whatever their challenges should form part of the standard planning process. The size and resources of a congregation will obviously impact the level of provision that is available in a particular service however if the priority is to provide love and care for fellow flock members, maybe it is time to look outside of ourselves and to the larger community of believers.
This joined up working can mean that each church is not re-inventing the wheel but learning from others who have walked this way before. As people in this fallen world we all have strengths and weaknesses some might be labelled disabilities others not, the challenge is to begin to walk in unity not just in a particular church but as a global body of Christ, after all we, our gifts, talents, and resources are given to us that we might
Samantha’s Story
build up the body (Eph 4:11-13) and be salt and light on the earth. As John Piper is quoted as saying ‘The greatness of Christian exiles is not success but service. Whether we win or lose, we witness to the way of truth and beauty and joy. We don’t own culture, and we don’t rule it. We serve it with brokenhearted joy and longsuffering mercy, for the good of man and the glory of Jesus Christ’.
Samantha (not her real name) had lived a life of physical and sexual abuse which had hampered her mental and emotional development, although in her early thirties when I met her, her mannerism clearly depicted the emotional and mental maturity of someone much younger. This beautiful woman had a heart for God that warmed and encouraged those around her. Her harrowing past had not made her bitter, but instead had led her to trust her unseen Father in heaven who had not abandoned her. In spite of all she had suffered, she still maintained hope. Through this pleasant demeanour she had done everything to remind me of Job’s cry ‘though he slay me yet will I have hope in Him’ (Job 13:15) and spoke nothing of his distraught wife’s cry of his wife to ‘curse God and die’ (Job 2:9). Whilst she could and did take everything that life had thrown at her, she struggled considerably with the challenges that life had thrown at her younger sibling, who had severe physical and mental disablement.
This issue we struggled with for three days until finally she released her sibling to God, who she knew loved her and would also care for her sibling. Samantha’s church was so concerned for her wellbeing that a couple from the leadership team accompanied her as her carers for the weekend retreat. Their commitment to this sheep from their fold showed through their sacrificial giving of their personal time,
and resources, having used their leave from work to ensure they could fully support this valid member of their church family. Whilst they did not participate in the ministry time, they supported her being a sounding board, prayer partner and through practical assistance and comfort. In addition we had a post ministry session with them and they committed to provide ongoing support to Samantha.
If we fail to love these brothers and sisters surely we also fail to show the love of God and unite. Whilst Jane’s church clearly failed her and dishonoured the name of Christ with their response to her needs (Ezekiel 34), Samantha’s church became Christ hands in a practical way that caused her to feel loved and valued. We too are called to serve Christ to be the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) who paid the price to help the helpless traveller who fell into the hand of bandits. We need to recognise that these brothers and sisters have fallen into the hands of the bandits of disablement; who have stolen their physical, emotional and mental well-
being. We should not be so religious that we fear tainting our hands with the misfortune of man; neither should we fail to visit the sick, the imprisoned or the less well off than ourselves. God is the God of the oppressed He promises to hear their calls (Psalm 34), He cautions us also to respond lest we be charged with failing to do for Him what we failed to do for others (Matthew 25:32-45). If we fail to love these brothers and sisters surely we also fail to show the love of God and unite.
Jane is now connected to ‘Through The Roof ‘ a Christian organisation who works to transform lives through disabled people recognising that amidst their diversity, everyone is of equal and infinite worth and value. If you or your church want to find ways of being more inclusive particularly relating to the kind of challenges described in this article please use this link http:// www.throughtheroof.org/ to connect with through the roof who will be more than happy to help you.
I am calling forth Do you not know? Do you not see that I am calling forth a holy people…a people who will not bow the knee to another, a people whose great desire is for the truth and to honour the truth? I have called forth a people to be sound in doctrine, who will not only try the spirits, but who will examine the word spoken under the microscope of My Word…the more sure word of prophecy.
This people will not seek the favour of man, nor will they be ensnared by the fear of man. They shall walk together though miles apart, for they are one in Spirit and in doctrine…free of factions and dubious manifestations. These are the called-out ones, whose hope is not in man-made traditions, fine-appearing ediThey will understand My judgments and agree with them. They will know when to pray for their fulfilment, or when a situation is the work of the enemy… although to all appearances may seem harmless, but detrimental to the work of the Holy Spirit and His work throughout the world. These believers will know when to leave a situation in My hands and allow They will not be partial because of outward appearance, but will discern by the Spirit who is Mine and who is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Darkness is being brought to light and My children will know and recognize their final destiny, their final resting place is not this world. They know that not all who call themselves “Christian” are My children. They determine the fruit of the Spirit not by quantity (numbers), but quality of character and adherence to My Word.
a holy people
These courageously speak the unvarnished truth no matter the cost. Their love for Me is deep. They seek Me and My will above all, hungering and thirsting after righteousness.
Yes, I will have a true, purified people, who follow the way of the cross, who have willingly learned obedience through suffering, and are willing to lay down their lives, as did My only begotten Son, Jesus. The choice is yours. "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve..." Joshua 24:15
By Phyllis Popovich
Limited Edition
www.restoringlifefoundation.org Tel: +44(0)7562 216 916 Email : restoringlife@ymail.com
When I left the cosmopolitan city of London and headed south to ministry school nothing could have prepared me for the challenge my ethnic identity would have on our surrounding, nor the extent of the issues we would face. Moving out of the Christian bubble and into a small white middle class town was more than a shock for not only me but more importantly for my rainbow family. Our range of skin colour went from my husbands pale white skin to the olive and very dark of mine and two of the youngest boys. We were a blended family in many ways, ethnically, and culturally and to some extent even religiously. What I quickly realised was that not only was the difference between European and American culture
very different, but more important, the beliefs of a WASP from America was considerably different to a typical European WASP I had encountered. The fact that neither I nor my husband knew the real extent of that difference, would soon show in our children and the acclimatisation process we went through in our new surroundings.
Enclaves When as a family, we were seeking a spiritual home we checked out many of the local places of worship, hoping to find a place to land, that would satisfy the longing to stay spiritually fed. Having
visited a number of churches in our town, cal area. The others travel to more diand the surrounding area, I suggested that verse locations to attend churches with we go back to the church I attended many congregations that more closely reflect years before. This was a large black ma- their own ethnicities. In addition to this jority church where the music and the one local church is developing a new flastyle of preaching the word reflected the vour which is reflecting the growth in the West Indian community that it stemmed Afrikaans community migrating to this from. The most interesting thing was that area. our entire family felt truly blessed there. Whilst the physical food on sale after the service, that of spicy patties, West All of this points to the reality that Indian soup and curried mutton for a person to thrive within might not have suited my “The reality is any group situation there husband’s sensitive stomneeds to be a sense of beach; what was immedithat we tend longing. So whether peoately clear was that the ple belong to a group of to gravitate spiritual food satisfied all sixteen year olds on a our needs. However, the towards those big dilemma was how to school field, or friends who are most cope with the three hour within a company, or return trip to church every church the reality is that we like us.� week and still be able to tend to gravitate towards balance the day with the famthose who are most like us. ily. However the benefits of That will be true for churches, feeling at home spiritually were deemed more important than the incon- schools, local communities as well as sovenience of the travel and so we bit the cial clubs. This sameness is how we bullet and went for it. come to identify as a group and adds to cohesiveness. Since that time it has become apparent to us that apart from one couple who are Catholics and attend the local Catholic Church, only one other mixed family that we know attends a church within the lo-
How often do we associate groups of youth that hang out together as being a group, by the way they wear their hair, or the particular style of their clothing?
taking this even further doesn’t this sense leads to discrimination could be the very of identification even operate clearly in start of the problems Paul was attempting team sports where each team is uniquely to eradicate within the Roman church identified by team colours or designs, if where he discusses the vegetarian/ meat so why shouldn’t we be able to celebrate eating, and worship day debate (Romans the diverse ways God has sculptured us 14). It is important to the unity of the without seeing it as an boundary to felbody for us to recognise that difference lowship? If I prefer to attend a church does not have to mean division. Viewed with services that primarily has a tradiin the proper light we should be able to tion that is geared towards my celebrate that I am able to gloWest Indians culture, should I rify God in ways that are be judged as discriminating specific to me and that No longer against those who prefer a you are able to glorify local church of traditional God in ways that are strangers and hymns? Whilst some specific to you, whilst foreigners, but might argue that I don’t at the same time recthink that would be necognise that neither fellow citizens essarily be the case, anyone is above the other. and members of more than a person who prefers chicken over beef God’s household For when we in our West could be condemned for Indian flavoured church being a discriminator of beef sing our gospel songs, do we eaters. not do it to the Lord? When traditionalists sing their hymns, do they not Taking this beef chicken analogy further, do it to the Lord? Should we judge each if I tried to assert my chicken preference other, as being more or less worthy bewithout recognising it as a preference, cause of our differences, or should we foand then went on to use my position of cus on the fact that God looks at the heart authority to: stem the flow of beef into of each one and weighs it, paying no atthe country, artificially inflate beef tention to the outward appearance. A true prices, not allow beef eaters to purchase worshipper after all worships God in homes, attend schools, or gain meaning- spirit and in truth (John 4:24), that can be ful employment; then my actions would done in any language, through any culmost definitely fall flat in the middle of ture and by any person. With Jesus discrimination alley. This judging which Christ as our cornerstone, we become no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens and members of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19). All to be caught up to heaven to sing, from each nation, tribe, people and tongue, together each one of us will praise the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords in our own language before the throne.
Diversity is not just about ethnicities or worship style but can be an issue for other groups that don't quite fit into the traditional church family. How does your church accommodate people with varying needs and create an atmosphere where the needs of the few are not marginalised?
Whilst your church may have a homeless outreach program do you welcome the homeless to your church services?
Does your church have a prison ministry?
Do you welcome ex-offenders in your church service, what can you do to make them feel more at home?
Singleness and loneliness can strike at any age and is an issue which can cause people to leave church. What do you or your church do to include singles from young adults to the retired and widowed?
What steps can you take to help make people feel at home in your church?
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ � Acts 20:35 (NIV)
The Work in Progress Small steps in Faith By Jennifer Clark
I
recognise that we all my imagination mulled over a experience anxiety at number of scenarios playing some time within our around in my mind: lives, but while some allow it to orchestrate their be “Would I be caught first in haviour, others do not. Unforour game of ‘hide and seek’ tunately For me this has been and then be laughed at by a natural occurrence I reguthe other children?” larly experience the feeling of heightened anxiety and as a “Would I run and hide not result I am left feeling oprealising that the other pressed and powerless. Whilst I children had run off to have suffered from it for many play another game without years, no matter what I do, I me?” have not been able to overcome. “Would they laugh at what I was wearing?” Fear would overcome me... Would I be kidnapped? I can’t recall a time when I did not feel anxious about something or another. I remember as a child experiencing the heavy sense of fear when invited to go out to play with other children in the area. Fear would overcome me as
Although these thoughts seem ridiculous now, they were very real to me as a child and subsequently the majority of time I choose not to ‘play out’ in order to protect myself from ridicule.
This however did not stop the anxiety from overwhelming me, as I then spent many hours, and days, chewing over
Image courtesy of Stockimages /FreeDigitalPhotos.net
in my head such things:
“as the fun I had missed out on”
and “if I had been talked about in my absence.”
pany it. The biggest difference now is that I understand that although I constantly worry, having Jesus Christ in my life as my Lord and Saviour reminds me that by His Grace I can, and will overcome. I am so grateful that in His word He has promised not to break a bruised reed and not snuff out a smouldering wick (Isaiah 42:3), but rather to encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14). It still remains a daily battle which sometimes I win, and that allows me to have a tremendous sense of achievement.
However sometimes the anxiety overwhelms me which has resulted in me driving an extra 30 minutes just so I can avoid a small hill which would take me home in 5. This is fuelled by many fears such as: the fear of rolling back into anThis made me feel angry with other vehicle, the car cutting myself and I would vow to do out, or breaking down at the it differently the next time, but top of the hill. In my mind I very rarely did. this would of course result in me being stranded and having to go through the feeling of inNearly forty years on, I am adequacy and embarrassment still struggling with anxiety of being looked at by passers-by and the emotions that accom-
You may be thinking by now, ing lessons again . “how did I ever learn to drive or pass my test?” The reality is Don’t get me wrong, I had that it took me 20 years, a lot driven before but always late of money, 6 at night or driving invery early in I heard the Lord’s the morning structors and loads of lesvoice distinctively when there sons. However, tell me that by my was very little 7 years ago I traffic on the following birthday I heard the road. I recogLord’s voice would have passed nised that this distinctively was finally the my driving test tell me that by time that I my following would overbirthday I would have passed come, after all God had ormy test. I remember feeling ec- dained it, so it must be true. static and at the same time tre- Although very anxious I had a mendously fearful as I knew confidence in me as I knew that it meant that I would that this time I would not fail have to start the process of tak- and was further reassured as God showed me my pass certificate. I found a female driving instructor and without the knowledge of my loved ones and friends began to take lessons; I retook my theory driving test as my original one had expired and passed. Now I just had to conquer the driving lessons.
My instructor was wonderI knew that if I put myself fully patient and having had a through a driving test, and few lessons she advised me to failed, my confidence put in for my test,
would hit rock bottom and I thought she had to be mad, no I would probably never reway was I ready. I recognised gain the confidence to resit the test again. how I suffered from anxiety
attacks throughout the day of my driving lesson. By now I had begun to hold on to my Lords promise of success, This led me to pray constantly for the right frame of mind to take the lesson. Whilst still being anxious I found that once I sat in the car and turned the ignition, a sense of peace would surround me, It was in these moments that God would remind me that I had already passed my test, as He showed me my certificate.
The day before my test, I remember waking early in the morning with a tremendous sense of dread and began to ask God to send me His peace. I thanked Him for bringing me thus far and reminded Him of His promise to me. That afternoon as I sat in the car taking my last driving lesson before my test my instructor informed me that today her role was a passenger and not instructor and the
"Image courtesy of [David Castillo Dominici/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net".
The day of my test quickly approached but I still did not have the confidence to drive, I certainly did not feel that I was ready. I knew that if I put myself through a driving test, and failed, my confidence would hit rock bottom and I would probably never regain the confidence to re-sit the test again.
driving was up to me, her only fired questions at me which role was to give me directions. made me more and more anxious, I tried to engage with him My lesson went excellently and “for the first time I really
felt that I could drive“ contrary to what I had believed, I was ready for the test. I had arranged for the test to be at 10am the following morning, late enough for the morning traffic to of calmed down and not early enough for the lunchtime traffic, my mind-set was that the roads would be relatively quiet with little traffic and therefore I was less likely to ‘get into trouble’. I woke to a dark gloomy day with the rain pelting down and my anxiety levels started to rise. On entering the centre I was met with a handful of teenagers eagerly waiting for their driving instructor to emerge. As I quickly scanned the instructors as they entered the room I quietly hoped I would not get the miserable looking middle aged man, yes, you guessed it I did. I smiled sweetly hoping that I could charm him, it didn’t work. During the test he repeatedly
but was met with a brick wall so finally I gave up. Back at the test centre my driving instructor stood across the road and I remember thinking how worried she looked, I glanced at my test instructor as he appraised his paper work and all of a sudden I had a lovely sense of peace fill my spirit.
I looked over to him and shouted ‘I’ve Passed, I’ve Passed my Test’.
that anything is possible for me if God is at my side.
Years later I still recognise
He did not respond. Finally, he that my driving is a’ work smiled and uttered those words in progress’ as I still get I had waited so long to here,
bouts of anxiety; but when
‘you’re now competent to drive I think about how far I’ve on the road, Congratulations come I find myself smiling, you’ve passed your test’.
I realise that I can drive,
and I thank God for blessI looked at him and started screaming and saw the coning me. cern on my instructors face as she quickly ran over to the car, with tears streaming down my face, she also began to cry as she realised that I had passed. I take that to be one of the happiness moments in my life. A dream I had harboured for many years had finally come to pass. The word says that ‘The heart of man plans his
Image courtesy of [David Castillo Dominici/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net".
way, but the LORD establishes his steps (Prov 16:9). I
recognise that to succeed I had to step out in faith, believing that my visions where an insight into what had already occurred. My faith gave me courage, determination and hope and allowed me to believe
The Envelope
By Jo Cotter
July is typically a difficult month for us financially - everything comes due all at once. To add to it this year, our property taxes went up by nearly 30% and homeowners increased double-fold. By month's end I need to come up with a deposit equal to 50% of this past year's entire premium. By Friday I was completely out of cash - so much so that when I went to drop grandson off at camp, I realized I didn't even have pizza money for his lunch. (Friday is pizza day
I literally had one penny to my name! at camp, and although it's only $1.50 per slice, when you don't have it ......) Scrounging through the bottom of my purse and plucking up nickels and dimes from the van's cup holders (hubby's favourite place to drop spare change while driving) I was able to come up with enough for 2 slices of pizza - with one penny to spare. I literally had one penny to my name! Got home and balancing the check book online (which I do regularly) I realized that the balance I thought I had of $12.59 was off - two debits hadn't been recorded, and now I was $47 in the hole. I can get thru to month's end on $12.59, but -$47 is something else entirely. So when I asked hubby how much pocket money he needed for the next week's trip to PA, I actually choked when he said $400. "You know I'll bring most of that back," he tells me. And my first thought is, 'If you bring less with you, then you wont' have to worry about bringing so much back.' But... I have to hit up the bank anyway to pay the HO's, so ...... Now, our bank has this little room. You can lock the door behind you and sit and figure out your finances. So after I collected the cash and looked at the depressed, minimal balance left, I asked hubby if he just wants the cash for his wallet or if he wants it in an envelope. I'm one of those envelope people. I keep the money to pay each bill in an envelope, the spending money in an envelope, etc.
And for reasons I don't even understand myself, I usually keep empty envelopes in my pocket book. Just a habit I've gotten myself into. He tells me he wants it in an envelope and I think, why would a grown man want to keep his pocket money in an envelope? (Even tho I'm a grown woman who keeps cash in envelopes.) I just so happen to have 3 empty envelopes in my tiny little pocketbook.
I've checked those empty envelopes a couple of times this
month just in case a folded up $10 or $20 bill got tucked away inside. One of those envelopes has some tiny notes on it, the other 2 are blank. Now, July being as difficult as it's been financially, and me walking around with barely any, and then no cash, I'll admit that I've checked those empty envelopes a couple of times this month just in case a folded up $10 or $20 bill got tucked away inside. But all I've seen inside each envelope is the inside of the envelope. When my grandson asked from his own umbrella I told him No because Niney has no extra money this month. When he asked if we could stop at the store and get a treat, again it was No because again Niney had no money this month.
thank goodness for those nickels and dimes in the cup holders On pizza morning it was almost no - except thank goodness for those nickels and dimes in the cup holders. So when I pull out my 3 empty envelopes from my purse, I put hubby's $400 in one and mark the envelope as $400. (I do it without thinking.)
I take the second blank envelope and put in the more-than-$400 that needs to go to the insurance agent by month's end and label it, and I take the 3rd empty envelope the one with little writing on it that says, I realize after putting on my reading glasses - 'put in bank.' I've looked in these envelopes before, remember. Multiple times this month. Each time I went to the store and had to pull out a credit card because I didn't have enough to pay for the groceries. And each time, nothing but the inside of the envelope staring back at me.
Inside that third 'empty' envelope are three $100 bills and two $50 bills. $400 But on Friday in that locked little room with only a counter and one chair, inside that third 'empty' envelope are three $100 bills and two $50 bills. $400. Out of nowhere. Enough to cover hubby's trip to PA the next week. Had I just not seen that cash each time I'd checked those envelopes? That would be the logical explanation. No matter. The PRAISE GOD and Hallelujah's coming out of that locked room might have reverberated through the whole bank. If hubby hadn't decided he wanted his pocket money in an envelope I might not even have looked at them. It's just as possible I could have tossed them out when it was clean-out-pocketbook time.
The biggest blessing was realizing that ... I had what I needed all along - I just hadn't realized it.
The biggest blessing for me wasn't the $400 - although I got to say, I couldn't have been more excited if it was a million dollars. The biggest blessing was realizing that all that time I thought I was broke, walking around with just one penny to my name, all that time I was actually walking around with $400 I didn't even know I had. I had what I needed all along - I just hadn't realized it. And I know that is the lesson God is showing me; that one day I will realize that all those things I thought I was lacking, I had them all along. God has provided them all along - I just hadn't seen; I just hadn't realized.
I had been walking around like a pauper when, in reality, I have what I needed all along. Praise God. Praise God.
Reflections from ‘The Envelope’
“ I literally had one penny to my name! “
Does your financial position affect your sense of who you are or what you are worth? ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________
“Inside that third 'empty' envelope are three $100 bills and two $50 bills. $400.”
Do you expect unusual blessings from God? ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________
“The biggest blessing was realizing that ... I had what I needed all along - I just hadn't
realized it. “
Sometimes when we find ourselves in challenging circumstances it is possible to lose sight of not only who we are, but most importantly whose we are. What is your default position when trouble strikes and your back is against the wall, faith filled or fear filled? ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ Jesus wanted His disciples to know that even "As the Father has loved Him, so He has loved them, as such they should remain in His love. Through that love connection God wanted to download to His disciples of all time those things that we might need to negotiate through life in accordance with His will and purpose. Scripture has countless promises to inspire encourage and uplift your spirit and soul during times of adversity. Below are just two to keep you going.
For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. Psalm 37:28 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. Isaiah 41:17 (ESV)
(MSG)
Come, bless GOD, all you servants of GOD! You priests of GOD, posted to the night watch in GOD’s shrine, Lift your praising hands to the Holy Place, and bless GOD. In turn, may GOD of Zion bless you — GOD who made heaven and earth!
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