HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1989-06-14, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1989.
Minister’s Study
Life’s deadline for seeking eternal salvation
BY JAMES H. CARNE, PASTOR
THE MISSIONARY CHURCH
AUBURN
Ask any writer and he will tell
you about the domination of dead
lines; they dog his steps and
determine his day. A deadline,
however, is also a discipline that
prods a writer into productivity,
and in that sense it serves him well.
Deadlines seem to be a necessity
because some things can’t wait,
and we can! There is something of
the procrastinator in most of us.
Missing a deadline can be a
matter of grave concern. A farmer
acknowledges that when he pushes
himself and his plough past the
setting sun and on through the
midnight hours. Knowing that
there are factors essential to the
planting and productivity of his
crop, upon which he may not be
able to depend another day, he
makes the most of them while they
are in his hand.
The Israelites in the days of
Jeremiah the prophet were not
nearly so aware or concerned. They
had failed to discern the signs of
the times, had neglected their
responsibilities and, in their indif
ference, had gone past the point of
no return. It is then that Jeremiah
laments, “The harvest is past, the
summer has ended, and we are not
saved.” (Jer.8:20)
One would wonder how people
could get themselves into such a
predicament. When one’s life is
dependent upon it. a person should
know enough, surely, to reap the
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dionne
Photo by Gregor Campbel I
harvest when it is ready. But these
people have allowed the summer
and the harvest to slip away.
But, really, we do that kind of
thing all the time, don’t we?
Because going to the doctor is
distasteful for some, they ignore
the pain or the puffiness, hoping
that they will simply take care of
themselves. When they become
unbearable and cannot be ignored
longer, the sufferer is compelled to
do that which he could and should
have done much earlier, only to
discover that the time for effective
treatment has passed.
Our relationships suffer in the
same way: we ignore the warning
signals, wait too long to humble
ourselves, make our apologies, and
do what we should have done in the
first place. Irreconcilable differ
ences begin on the other side of
broken deadlines.
And what about the preparations
necessary in order to meet God?
Most people have a vague aware
ness, at least, that they cannot
stand comfortably in the presence
of God on Judgement Day without
doing something about their sins.
Yet, many will toil diligently
through the long days and nights in
the preparation of their soil and
never invest a minute in the
cultivation of their soul.
That’s when a heart attack or a
stroke or some other calamity that
reminds us of our mortality serves
us well in the role of a deadline.
They help to convince us of the fact
that we will not live forever; they
open our eyes to the passing of
opportunity; they goad us into
taking action that we have found
previously to be difficult or dis
tasteful.
When a doctor tells us, “I advise
you to go home and settle your
affairs,” that ominous deadline
puts us under the gun and it isn’t
the easiest thing to face up to the
needs of our long-neglected souls,
but, better now than never!
Couple weds at Walton
MCDONALD - DIONNE
Duff’s United Church in Walton
was the setting of an afternoon
wedding Saturday, May 27, 1989,
when Reverand Bonnie Lamble
united Jeanne McDonald of Strat
ford and Robert Dionne, also of
Stratford in marriage.
The bride is the daughter of
Marilyn and Don McDonald of RR
2, Brussels, while the groom is the
son of Joyce and Bill Dionne of
Oshawa, Ontario.
Pat Bremner of Sarnia, who is
the sister of the bride was matron
of honour. Bridesmaids were Tra
cey Bagley of Hamilton, Barb Tait
of Belleville, both friends of the
bride, and Barbara Dionne of
Toronto, a sister of the groom.
Flowergirls were the bride’s niece
yetttufai
Andrea Bremner of Sarnia and
Andrea Dionne of Pickering, a
niece of the groom.
Best man for the occasion was
the groom’s brother Bill Dionne of
Bowmanville. Ushers were Jim
McDonald of Brussels, brother of
the bride, Brad Littleproud, of
Toronto, a friend of the groom and
John Gale of Oshawa, a cousin of
the groom.
A reception was held at the
Brussels, Morris and Grey Com
munity Centre after the ceremony.
Following a honeymoon trip to
Florida, the newlyweds will reside
in Stratford.
Surprise Weekend For
MARIE & FRED STUTE
Saturday, June 17
Dance by D.J.
8:30 to 1:00
Brussels Legion
Sunday, June 18
Coffee and conversation
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
at the Stute Farm
ALL FRIENDS
WELCOME!
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
King Street
Mr. George Cowan, Interim Minister
11:00 a.m. Morning Worship
Topic: Salvation - What our church believes
Christ is made the sure foundation.
Sunday,
June 18
HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY
CHURCH
AUBURN
PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE 526-7515
10 a.m. - Family Bible School
11 a.m. - Morning Worship
8 p.m. - Evening Service
Wed., 8 p.m. - Prayer and Bible Study
Drive off with
A Bargain in the
Classified Section.
Love Barbara Bush
25th
The Family invites
you to Brussels for the
Anniversary of
ORVAL AND RUTH BAUER
Friday, June 23, 1989
9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
June 18/89 Pentecost5
REV. PATT NUNN 887-9267
9:30 a.m. Trinity, Blyth - Morning Prayer
11:15 a.m. St. John’s, Brussels - Holy Baptism
‘ God calls us back when we stray
Melville
Presbyterian Church
BRUSSELS
June 18 - Dr. Rev. Jim Ferguson
11 A.M. MORNING SERVICE
SUNDAY SCHOOL
9:30 A.M. BELGRAVE SERVICE
A BLYTH CHRISTIAN
ZjA REFORMED CHURCH
HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH
Sunday at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Rev. W.H. Lammers
Sunday School 11:00 a.m.
The Church of the4 4 Back to God Hour’ ’ and4 4 Faith 20’ ’
Back to God Hour 10:30 a.m. CKNX, Sunday
Faith 20 5:00 a.m. weekdays, Global T.V.
ALL VISITORS WELCOME
HUGHES-JAMIESON
Rev. and Mrs. Victor Jamieson and Mr. and Mrs. Walter
Hughes wish to announce the upcoming marriage of their
children Heather Lynn and Kevin Walter. The wedding is to
takeplace June24atthreeo’clockatSt. Andrew’s Presbyterian
Church, Ottawa, Ont. The couple will reside at 1000 Castle Hill
Cr.. Ottawa.