Grace came in many ways this past week.
I was at Camp Mush, Middle Cornwall, NS with a whole bunch of families for family camp. This week in July is a yearly event where families camp, worship, and play together in God's big backyard. Community with each other and rejuvenating a relationship with nature are fantastic graces.
At Camp data streaming takes a long time and uses a lot of phone power - a break from Twitter, and posting to the blog for sure.
Grace was found in the lack of inhibition by people of all ages to ask questions on their mind. These gave me great hope for the future of the church and a justice-filled humanity. The number of little ones (despite the noise) were a cheerful reminder that all is well with the world, as they grew their relationships with their parents, siblings, staff, creation, and most of all God.
Grace came this week by those at home who were God-sent to places of need in the parish. The people of God empowered to be all they are meant to be, without me...ahhhh.
Grace will also be found in the shower I am going to shortly jump into. As much as I love the dirt that God created, I also like to look the way God created me (no dirt); and I like to smell like anything but bugspray and dirty sneakers.
happy camping!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Grace is already being present when crisis happens.
Grace is being part of something bigger than oneself. Some call it being part of humanity, some call it being part of the kingdom of God -made present in this time and place.
Currently the world has been awakened by the cries of hunger from East Africa. There is a certain hopelessness to the crisis. As a teenager in the 1980's I remember the world pulling together to feed the world, to make it a better place -for you, for me, for the entire human race...those of you of the same generation probably now have the song stuck in your heads. And what has happened since then, that now that famine and drought are worse this time around.
The Christian community of which I am a part, over decades has supported humanitarian need; not just with emergency rations but with long-term solutions. The agency, Canada Lutheran World Relief, started 60 years ago by bringing displaced persons from Europe to Canada, after WWII. As crisis changed, CLWR started projects throughout the world: as a teenager I remember being part of projects to buy cows for Mozambique farmers.
Grace for me in light of the drought and famine, is that for some there is hope.
CLWR wrote the following media release: -good news amidst chaos.
"One of CLWR's five-year development goals is to provide a safe water supply, sufficient storage capacity, and irrigation to over 150 communities in Africa.
In the last year alone, CLWR has helped about 80 communites develop new or improved sources of clean, safe water and trained 10,000 housefholds in the safe use and storage of water. CLWR-supported food security projects have trained over 5,000 African farmers in sustainable agriculture, and provided 2,000 farmers with tools, livestock, storage, and seeds.
Need for these porjects has become increasingly apparent as East Africa suffers its worst drought in 60 years. According to the World Food Program, at least 10 million people are affected by food stortages.
"Supporting CLWR's ongoing development work helps reduce te devastation drought can have African communities", says Robert Granke, executive director. CLWR wil continue to support sustainable development in the region.
In response to immediate needs for relief in the drought-stricken East Africa, CLWR has partnered with the Canadian Foodgrains Ban on a large-scale emergency food aid project that will benefit over 18,000people in Goro, a district in the oromia region of Ethiopia.
over 1,900 tonnes of food, worth over $1.5 million, will be distributed between June an dOctober 2011 by CLWR partner lutheran World Federation Ethiopia."
To contribute to further deveolpment and drought relief in Africa, donations can be made online at www.clwr.org/donate. The webite is worth looking at to see good news stories amidst chaos taking place around the world.
Grace is the light seen in the darkness.
Currently the world has been awakened by the cries of hunger from East Africa. There is a certain hopelessness to the crisis. As a teenager in the 1980's I remember the world pulling together to feed the world, to make it a better place -for you, for me, for the entire human race...those of you of the same generation probably now have the song stuck in your heads. And what has happened since then, that now that famine and drought are worse this time around.
The Christian community of which I am a part, over decades has supported humanitarian need; not just with emergency rations but with long-term solutions. The agency, Canada Lutheran World Relief, started 60 years ago by bringing displaced persons from Europe to Canada, after WWII. As crisis changed, CLWR started projects throughout the world: as a teenager I remember being part of projects to buy cows for Mozambique farmers.
Grace for me in light of the drought and famine, is that for some there is hope.
CLWR wrote the following media release: -good news amidst chaos.
"One of CLWR's five-year development goals is to provide a safe water supply, sufficient storage capacity, and irrigation to over 150 communities in Africa.
In the last year alone, CLWR has helped about 80 communites develop new or improved sources of clean, safe water and trained 10,000 housefholds in the safe use and storage of water. CLWR-supported food security projects have trained over 5,000 African farmers in sustainable agriculture, and provided 2,000 farmers with tools, livestock, storage, and seeds.
Need for these porjects has become increasingly apparent as East Africa suffers its worst drought in 60 years. According to the World Food Program, at least 10 million people are affected by food stortages.
"Supporting CLWR's ongoing development work helps reduce te devastation drought can have African communities", says Robert Granke, executive director. CLWR wil continue to support sustainable development in the region.
In response to immediate needs for relief in the drought-stricken East Africa, CLWR has partnered with the Canadian Foodgrains Ban on a large-scale emergency food aid project that will benefit over 18,000people in Goro, a district in the oromia region of Ethiopia.
over 1,900 tonnes of food, worth over $1.5 million, will be distributed between June an dOctober 2011 by CLWR partner lutheran World Federation Ethiopia."
To contribute to further deveolpment and drought relief in Africa, donations can be made online at www.clwr.org/donate. The webite is worth looking at to see good news stories amidst chaos taking place around the world.
Grace is the light seen in the darkness.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
It's Summer
The heat of summer is grace.
As the thermometre rises, a persons ability to be busy lessens. The world today, especially North American society, is one that drives towards constant productivity and consumption. Isn't that true: do you feel guilty when not "doing" something or taking an extended break while at work?
As the thermometre rises and my body slows down, I am reminded to slow down and bide time -for there are times coming that will be an all-out-run: the weeks before Christmas, a season of sickness or funerals. The heat reminds me to take time and enjoy sitting on a park bench, to relax on a front porch with a book, or to socialize on a patio with friends. This is the season for rejuvenating the stores of pleasure, that so often are pushed aside because we are busy.
Although the heat can make one sick, the heat is a reminder to relax, enjoy life, and be healed through the power allowing oneself time to breath and reconnect.
As the thermometre rises, a persons ability to be busy lessens. The world today, especially North American society, is one that drives towards constant productivity and consumption. Isn't that true: do you feel guilty when not "doing" something or taking an extended break while at work?
As the thermometre rises and my body slows down, I am reminded to slow down and bide time -for there are times coming that will be an all-out-run: the weeks before Christmas, a season of sickness or funerals. The heat reminds me to take time and enjoy sitting on a park bench, to relax on a front porch with a book, or to socialize on a patio with friends. This is the season for rejuvenating the stores of pleasure, that so often are pushed aside because we are busy.
Although the heat can make one sick, the heat is a reminder to relax, enjoy life, and be healed through the power allowing oneself time to breath and reconnect.
Monday, July 4, 2011
teenagers
Definition of grace:
When you finally are comfortable in your own skin, and although not always happy, are content with life and your roll in it
This definition came to me today as I was thinking about the three teenagers in my life. Watching them trying to figure out who they are, reminded me of those days. Today I am the most content I have ever been and I am happy to the person God created me to be. I pray my children find the same contentment; that too would be grace.
When you finally are comfortable in your own skin, and although not always happy, are content with life and your roll in it
This definition came to me today as I was thinking about the three teenagers in my life. Watching them trying to figure out who they are, reminded me of those days. Today I am the most content I have ever been and I am happy to the person God created me to be. I pray my children find the same contentment; that too would be grace.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Canada Day
This was a real holiday! There is something to be said for a beautiful front veranda, where one can sit and watch the world walk by. It really was the world: nieghbours, many First Nation peoples, Asians, Blacks, Arabs, whites; young, old, middle aged; dogs, cats...
To see this and not really think about it at the time - that means we live in a special place; a place where we can dream of no racism, people respecting each others' cultures and being invited to participate
in them.
Today my heart is filled with gratitude!
Thank-you for a beautiful place to live, surrounded by lovely people and peoples. May each day be lived with as much gracious hospitality. Amen.
P.S. If you live in Halifax take sometime on Sat.July 2 or Sun. July 3 and go to the PowWow and the multi-cultural festival.
To see this and not really think about it at the time - that means we live in a special place; a place where we can dream of no racism, people respecting each others' cultures and being invited to participate
in them.
Today my heart is filled with gratitude!
Thank-you for a beautiful place to live, surrounded by lovely people and peoples. May each day be lived with as much gracious hospitality. Amen.
P.S. If you live in Halifax take sometime on Sat.July 2 or Sun. July 3 and go to the PowWow and the multi-cultural festival.
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