HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1991-12-04, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4,1991.
From the Minister's Study,
God not the originator of evil
ANGLICAN CHURCH
OF CANADA
Rev. E. Paul Acton 887-9273
BY REV. E. PAUL ACTON
ST. JOHN'S ANGLICAN
CHURCH, BRUSSELS
AND TRINITY ANGLICAN
CHURCH, BLYTH
I hope that by the time this article
finds its way into your home that
our home will be free of the ‘flu.
Perhaps the bug has been a busy
visitor at your house like it has
been in many other families in
Blyth and Brussels this season.
Before my children fell victim to
the headache and fever variety they
were telling me that there were
upwards of seven and eight chil
dren missing from some classrooms
for this very reason. School inter
views last week confirmed their
story, not to mention the confirma
tion of personal experience shortly
thereafter.
I'm looking at a picture of a
friend of mine, Frank Clubbe, in an
old newspaper article celebrating
his 100th birthday. That was nearly
three years ago. When I used to be
close enough to visit him every
week in the Nursing Home I would
sometimes ask him about the great
‘flu epidemic of 1918, which he
barely survived. He would tell me
of how his neighbours put his crops
in that year as he lay close to death
as a result of that vicious virus.
Many people died back then, but he
survived the ‘flu and is still alive to
tell about it. He is not alone, of
course, and I've made a point of lis
tening to the stories of others like
him.
Now, when I get the ‘flu I think
of Mr. Clubbe, or Miss Wakefield,
or some other survivor of the 1918
bug. For what it's worth I thought
I'd remind you of them as well. It
might help fight the misery and
self-pity that accompanies the ‘flu
(my wife says I'm the worst, though
she thinks it might be common
among all males to wimp out when
sick).
I was at a conference for minis
ters recently where the leader was
trying to defend God from being
responsible for miserable sickness
es and tragic deaths. It was the old
dilemma of - “If God is good why
does he permit this misery? If He is
all-powerful why doesn't he stop
the suffering?” I didn't care much
for his solution, which robbed God
of his sovereignty and power and
made Him out to be little better
than one who pats the back of our
hand and strokes our forehead say
ing, “There, there now, it'll be
alright”.
God says two things quite clear
ly. One is that sin entered the world
through man's disobedience, and
death came as a result of sin. We
have all sinned and we will all die.
Whether it is sudden and acciden
tal, slow and painful, or peacefully
in our sleep, we will all taste death.
Every disease, every injustice (real
or imagined) and every pain along
the way tells us of its approach.
This is not a perfect world and we •>
will not likely go through it
unscathed from the effects of sin.
Sometimes we suffer for the sins of
others, sometimes for our own.
That makes things unequal.
The second thing God says clear
ly is that He is not the originator of
evil. He has taken the reality of
human liberty, evil, pain and death
into account and is able to overturn
the worst of evils to work his good
will. When we chose to crucify His
Son, He raised Him from the dead
and proved not only that He could
turn the greatest sin into the great
est good, but that He planned to do
it all along. Were it not for this
power and this plan, life would be
absurd and hopeless. We are not
privy to the plan and we are not
able to comprehend the power. But
we are able to look to God through
Christ and say, “Whether I live or
die of the ‘flu, I will trust You”.
ADVENT 2 - DECEMBER 8 (H.E.)
TRINITY, BLYTH ST. JOHN'S , BRUSSELS
9:30 A.M. 11:15 A.M.
HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY
CHURCH
PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515
10 a.m. - Family Bible Hour
11 a.m. - Morning Service
8 p.m. - Evening Service
Wednesday - Prayer & Bible Study
Friday 7:30 p.m. - Youth
MELVILLE
rnAzD
11:00 a m. - Morning Service
- Sunday School
9:30 a m. -Belgrave Service
We welcome you to come and worship with us
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Carolyn McAvoy
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
Couple resides in London £
MCNABB-LAWSON
On Saturday, June 22, Wendy
Lynn McNabb, daughter of Ray
mond and Lois McNabb, Petrolia
and John Earl Lawson, son of Reg
and Helen Lawson, Londesboro
were married at First Baptist
Church, Petrolia, Ontario with Rev.
Jamie Cairns officiating.
The matron of honour was Lisa
Wilson, Petrolia, sister of the bride
and the bridesmaids were Catherine
Allen, Londesboro, friend of the
bride; Ursula MacKenzie, London,
friend of the bride; and Elizabeth
Lawson, Londesboro, sister of the
groom.
The best man was Brian
Cartwright, Toronto, friend of the
groom and the ushers were Robert
Snell, Londesboro, friend of the
groom ; Ken Whitmore, Blyth,
friend of the groom; and Donald
Allen, Londesboro, friend of the
groom.
The soloist was George Turner,
RR 4, Seaforth, uncle of the groom
and the organist was Mrs. Donna
Dobbin, Petrolia.
The happy couple honeymooned
in Western Canada and are now
residing in London, Ontario.
Blyth UCW
elects Wendy and John Lawson
REFORMED CHURCH
HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH
DR. W. H. LAMMERS
Sunday at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Sunday School 11:00 a.m.
The Church of the "Back to God Hour" and "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 ‘Wheelchair accessible
Consider the benefits of being part of a church family:
•Friendship ’Service ’Love ’Worship
•Purpose In Living «Hope
WE WARMLY INVITE YOU TO CHECK US OUT
BRUSSELS MENNONITE
FELLOWSHIP
9:30 Sunday Worship Service
10:30 Christian Education Hour
12:00 Potblessing Lunch
Everyone truly welcome
Pastor: Tom Warner
887-6388
Elder: Elwin Garland
887-9017
officers
The theme for the Nov. 21 meet
ing of the Blyth U.C.W. was Com
munity Friendship. The worship
was conducted by Bea Chambers
and Dorothy Daer.
During the program, Mary Lou
Stewart explained some of the
changes that have taken place and
will take place in the U.C.W., in
the Church and the Community.
President June Peck was in
charge of the business period.
Some 822 meals were served by the
ladies this summer to Blyth Festi
val visitors. The new slate of offi
cers for 1992-93 was read by Susan
Howson.
A delicious lunch was served by
Erma Cook and Mary Howson.
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Cameron McMillan
Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313
11:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
7:15 p.m.
12:00 noon
-Morning Worship
- "John the Baptist"
-Reception of New Members
-Christmas Communion
-Church School - Nursery
-Welcome for new members
-Ethel White Gift Service
-Brussels Committee of Stewards
Thursday, December Sth
-Brussels Children's Bazaar
Saturday, December 7th
Hope is like a candle shining in the darkness
KIDS
You're invited
to our
Christmas
Bazaar
Sat. Dec. 7/91
from 12 noon until
after the parade
at Brussels United Church
•We will help you wrap
each one of your special gifts
•All gifts $2.00 or less
Refreshments for waiting adults