HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-11-12, Page 12By Pastor Ernest DowLiving Water ChristianFellowship, BlythAn air of expectancy pervades ourhome these days. Our daughter and
son-in-law, who also reside in Blyth,
are expecting their first child any day
now.
It’s been 40 long weeks; our
daughter’s frame has gradually but
unmistakably become more rotund
with what she fondly refers to as her
‘baby bump’. Regular ultrasounds
and visits to the obstetrician have
revealed an active pre-born who is
now in position so all systems are go.
We share the excitement and
anticipation of the parents-to-be:
although this is not our first
grandchild, it’s the first with which
we’ve been in such close and
continual contact throughout the
pregnancy.
Generally the birth of a baby is a
time of profound happiness and
celebration. A whole new human
being has come into existence. The
excitement of a new life is
accentuated by the marvelous
smallness of tiny fingers, features,
and feet.
What potential is wrapped up in
this miniature frame! How wonderful
that a baby reflects both its parents
yet is at the same time different from
each!
The Bible repeatedly uses the
analogy of birth to describe the
miracle of conversion, leaving an old
sinful life for a new constitution
brought about only through God’s
doing. (This is rather surprising
considering the Bible was written
predominantly by men, who could
never have experienced what it’s like
to give birth!) The various passages
help us understand better this
wonder’s means and effect.
It is a spiritual rather than natural
phenomenon. God’s Holy Spirit, not
flesh, gives birth to spirit. This is
God’s doing, not by human decision
or a husband’s will. It’s a divine
mystery, like the way the wind blows
wherever it pleases. (John 3:5f,8)
While a baby is conceived by
physical factors, spiritual birth comes
about by faith in God’s word. James
writes that God chose to give us [i.e.
Christians] birth through the word of
truth. Peter says we have been born
again of imperishable seed through
the living and enduring word of God.
John adds that everyone who believes
that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.
Note the interplay of the agents,
word and faith: when the word of the
Good News about Jesus is heard,faith receives and believes it - andChrist gives the right or power tobecome God’s child. (Jas 1:18; 1Pet1:23; 1Jn 5:1; Jn 1:12)
Parents may have great dreams for
their newborns. Spiritual birth offers
great hope - a fresh start for lives that
may have been despairing in defeat
and guilt.
Peter writes that God in His great
mercy has given us new birth into a
living hope through the resurrection
of Jesus from the dead. (This future
hope has an historical basis 2000
years ago at the first Easter.)
Paul adds that we wait eagerly for
our adoption as sons, the redemption
of our bodies; then we will be clothed
with our heavenly dwelling. No more
sickness, H1N1, aging, or pain! (1Pet
1:3; Rom 8:23; 2Cor 5:2,4)
Spiritual rebirth brings with it
several effects in our lives, if it is real.
One effect is that we start to do
what’s right, because we catch the
vision of God, who now indwells us
by His seed.
John writes, “If you know that He
[Jesus] is righteous, you know thateveryone who does what is right hasbeen born of Him.”He adds that those born of Godcannot go on sinning; we ‘see the
Kingdom of God’ - and, perceiving
God’s will, we want to do it. (Jn 3:3;
1Jn 2:29, 3:9, 5:18)
Another noticeable effect is love
for others. “Everyone who loves has
been born of God and knows God,”
John writes. So, passion for holiness
and ‘doing what’s right’ is balanced
by affectionate empathy and
sacrificial agape love for those who
may be unlike us, and who may even
try to hurt us. (1Jn 4:7)
Our daughter and son-in-law have
been stocking up on safe baby toys
and protective gear, such as car seats.
The New Testament similarly
states God protects His spiritual
‘babes’. John writes that Jesus keeps
the person who’s born of God safe,
and the evil one cannot harm him.
(1Jn 5:18)
We know it’s highly unlikely our
little grandchild will have smooth
pain-free sailing all through life.
From the shock of the moment ofbirth, through teething, learning tocrawl and walk, fighting offinfections, and facing the challengesof each new stage of development
until mature adulthood, there will be
trials a-plenty.
Likewise, spiritual pilgrimage has
its difficulties, but the Lord helps us
master them. “Everyone born of God
overcomes the world,” John notes;
“This is the victory that has overcome
the world, even our faith.” (1John
5:4)
When Jesus makes us new
creatures, He helps us overcome the
hurdles across our path.
Having been present in a
supportive role for my wife at three
of our four children’s births, I know
childbirth is not easy – the labour
pains can be excruciating. But soon
the anguish is forgotten on account of
the joy of a child being born into the
world.
Likewise, our birth and growth
spiritually may have many stretches
and strains, but the passing
challenges are transcended by a deep
and abiding joy at knowing God and
sensing His Spirit’s work within us.
Chuck Colson wrote, “Conversion
may occur in an instant, but the
process of coming from sinfulnessinto a new life can be a long andarduous journey.”We realize our daughter’s deliveryis just the beginning of hopefully a
lifetime of learning for her little one.
How precious to know, in our spirit-
life, God continues to parent, protect,
and shape the new being He’s
brought into existence!
PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009.From the Minister’s StudyWith each new birth, a new beginning
The Brussels Community Bible
Chapel is hosting a movie night on
Sunday, showing a documentary
about one of the world’s most
polarizing debates: Evolution.
Admission is free for this film
about one of the most famous
voyages in the history of the world.
The film will be shown on Nov. 15 at
6:30 p.m. at Brussels Public School.
Admission is free and all are
welcome.
The Voyage That Shook The
World is an Australian-made
documentary that explores Charles
Darwin’s famous 1831 voyage on
the Beagle, which surveyed and
charted coasts.
It was on this journey, near the end
of which, he found himself in Cape
Town, South Africa, that he found
facts that “undermine the stability of
species”, eventually saying that
these facts seemed to “throw some
light on the origin of species.”
It was upon returning to England
once the Beagle returned in October
of 1836 that Darwin began to
formulate his theory of evolution.
This made-for-television docu-
mentary is one hour long and it
includes interviews with scientists
and scholars throughout Europe and
North America.
For more information contact
Steve at 519-887-8651, Rick at
519-527-0173 or Chris at 519-
482-1644.
Chapel hosts movie night, Sunday
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Blyth United Church
Office: 519-523-4224 Rev. Gary Clark
All Welcome
Sunday, November 15
Worship Service & Sunday School
at 11 a.m.
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
519-887-9831
11:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
9:30 am - Sunday Belgrave Service
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca
Sunday, November 15
Ethel United Church
Worship Service and Sunday School - 9:30 a.m.
Brussels United Church
Worship Service and Sunday School - 11:00 a.m.
Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
Sunday, November 15
Brussels Public School
at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Sunday School for children
4 to 11 years of age (mornings only)
Childcare provided for infants and toddlers
Coffee & cookies after the morning service
For additional details please contact:
Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173
Chris McMichael 519.482.1644
“The Voyage That Shook The World”
Documentary being shown on
Sunday, November 15 at 6:30 pm
Please join us for worship
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00am
Evening Service 7:30pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
Pastor John Kuperus
Hwy. 4, Blyth
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Welcomes you to come
and worship with us
Trinity, Blyth
9:15 a.m.
519-523-9595
St. John's, Brussels
11:15 a.m.
519-887-6862
Sunday, November 15
YOU ARE WELCOME
9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m. - Sunday Morning Worship
Mid-week Bible Study
C
H U R C H O F G O D ,ANDERS
O
N
,
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Timeless Truths
For Today
308 Blyth Rd. E., Blyth
Pastor Les Cook ~ 519-523-4590
Blyth Community Church of God
REV. DAVID WOOD
119 John’s Ave.,Auburn
519-526-1131
www.huronchapel.org
9:30 a.m.
Sunday School & Small Groups
10:30 a.m.
Morning Worship Service
WEDNESDAY
IS FAMILY NIGHT
Olympians &
Youth Small Groups
at 6:30 pm
Adult Small Group
at 7:00 pm
All programs end at 8:00 pm
Nursery is also available.
getlivingwater.org
Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848
Living Water
Christian Fellowship
10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School
at Blyth Public School,
corner of King & Mill
Tuesdays 7:30 pm - Wingham Bible Study
1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30 pm - Women at the Well
Fridays 7:30 pm - Youth Group
Evangelical Missionary Church
November 15: James 3:13ff
“Diverting
Devilish
Desires”
Don’t miss our ‘Home Party’
at Memorial Hall this Sat., 9-3!