3 More Days = 40 Days for Bethel

Week 6. Our Spiritual Future
Day 3: November 2

Read: Matthew 22:34-40
"Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.  One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?'  Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Today we pray:
That Bethel will be bold in showing Christ's love in and for our Community.

Prepping for Remembrance

Friend - this post is short - but I need prayer to write a speech for next week.  I have been asked to speak at a high school Remembrance Day assembly - talking about war, former child soldiers, and inspiring these teens to make a difference.  I am excited about this new project!!

Week 6. Our Spiritual Future
Day 2: November 1

Read: Revelation 4:9-11
"Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever.  They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 'You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.'"

Today we pray for:
Bethel CRC to become Passionate about God.

Double Desserts

It's not to often that I go all out and follow my meals with desserts, but today I did.... and not just once.... TWICE!
This morning I gathered with my co-workers for my final team meeting at the group home where I have served for the past 6.5 years.  I started choking up as they prayed for me, wished me well, and made the most delicious Good Bye cake ever.... cream cheese, jam, home-made yumminess.  (I still have six shifts left, but it was nice to be with the whole gang.)
After purchasing six shipping totes, for packing, from a local hardware store, I drove into Newmarket to have dinner with a good friend from church.  After my flavourful Paella, we ordered dessert, but I think we ordered too much.  A colossal brownie on top of ice cream and peanut butter cups / skor on frozen yogurt... yum yum.  We kept reminding ourselves that I wasn't going to have these treats in a couple of weeks.  :)  I love getting together with friends and breaking bread together.

Week 6. Our Spiritual Future
Day 3: November 1

Read: Galatians 5:22-26
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

Today we pray for:
That Bethel will be a friendly, warm, welcoming, generous and hospitable church in our community.

The End is Near

"Riding in God's Palm" has been incredible and I wouldn't want to have it any other way.  Lately I've been in shock at how the Lord is timing everything in my life.  Looking back, I can truly see that God is preparing the way for a departure in one month's time.  Uganda will be reached by December and I'm BEYOND EXCITED! 

• Churches are responding to my requests for sponsorship
• Friends and family are filling in their support cards as well!!
• Surgery happened three weeks after seeing the ENT - and that's pretty rare in Ontario now days.  I have a follow-up appointment on November 9th to make sure that all is well in my throat.
• Banking has been updated and in International drivers license is ready for purchase.

Last Monday I received an email from a Christian Reformed Church, stating that they wanted to support me, and they were wondering if I had time to come and speak.  Well, I only had one Sunday open - and that was yesterday - just 6 days after sharing their desire to support me.  Together the worship committee and myself made a plan for me to come and do a ten minute presentation, and the beautiful part was realizing that the whole service was planned to be missions-minded before anyone even knew I was coming. 
I drove out to the beautiful church and met an incredible congregation.  These people were so friendly, giving, encouraging, and enthusiastic.  I felt very welcome and completely valued by a group of strangers.  It is my prayer that these strangers will become friends - people with whom I can share my stories, and know that they will pray for me and love me in ways that only God now knows.  I will be praying for this church, and for all the churches and individuals who are helping me to get to Uganda.
I have a feeling that a lot of my newsletters, blog posts, and emails lately have been about fundraising and departure details, but I don't know what else to talk about - it is pretty much all consuming.  I can't believe I might only be in North America for another 4.5 weeks.... I hope to buy a plane ticket by the end of the week. 
"Team Beyond" - my team in Uganda has been chatting with me more lately as well.  Houses are being looked into, a Subaru Forester was purchased for my use, a recipe book is being made, ministries are waiting, Christmas plans are in the works, and packing tips are sent via email. 
Hopefully I will get everything done that I need to do soon... it's kind of shocking how much stuff needs to be worked out before I go, even though I have been planning this for so long.
AAhhh, I want to keep on Riding with GOD!

Week 6: Our Spiritual Future
Day 1: October 31

Read: Ephesians 5:18-20
"Be very careful, then how you live- not as wise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.  Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Today we pray for:
We pray for a Spiritual Renewal by the Holy Spirit in Bethel

Sunday... to be continued

I should be writing this earlier in the day, because I have so much to say... but you will have to wait until tomorrow to hear about my Sabbath Day. 

Week 5. Bethel Ministries
Day 7: October 30

Read: 1 Timothy 3:1-2
"Here is a trustworthy saying" Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.  Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach."

Belgic Confession of Faith
Article 30
The Government of the Church

We believe that this true church
out to be governed according to the spiritual order
that our Lord has taught us in his Word.
     There should be ministers or pastors
     to preach the Word of God
and administer the sacraments.
     There should also be elders and deacons,
     along with the pastors,
to make up the council of the church.
By this means
true religion is preserved;
true doctrine is able to take its course;
and evil men are corrected spiritually and held in check,
     so that also the poor
     and all the afflicted
     may be helped and comforted
     according to their need.
By this means
everything will be done well
and in good order
in the church,
     when such persons are elected
     who are faithful
     and are chosen according to the rule
     that Paul gave to Timothy.

Today we pray for:
Bethel's leaders and Council

A FUNdraising Day

My day was filled with fundraisers today.  This morning Mom asked if I would attend the Fall Fair for the Christian school where she is principal and I agreed to go.  It was so cool watching a school community pull together to set up booths, sell soups and baked goods, organize a silent auction and try to raise money for that precious place of education.  Upon returning back to the house I organized prayer cards and had a photo shoot - so that I would have a profile picture for the churches I will be speaking at - to hang on their bulletin boards.  Then this evening it was off to church for a spaghetti dinner, with another silent auction - for a young lady from my church who wants to study in the Dominican Republic for a semester.  It is so neat to see God's people pulling together to support worthy causes.  And it's even cooler to see how the Lord provides for everyone's needs.

Week 5. Bethel Ministries
Day 6: October 29

Read: Matthew 25:40
"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"

Today we pray for:
Our Share and Care Ministry

Inviting you in - to pray!

Week 5. Bethel Ministries
Day 5: October 28

Read: Matthew 25:34-49
"The the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'  "The the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"

Today we pray for:
The work of the deacons