Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1991-08-07, Page 7M[JX Times -Advocate, August 7, 1991 Page 7 What's your sign? Did you hear the joke about the very heavy -set man sitting in a bar. A young woman carne over and asked, "What's your sign?" The man replied, "Cadburys!" Everyday millions of people rush to open their newspapers and the very first thing they want to read is their Horoscope! We want a sign that says the future is O.K. Magazines even give our week-long forecasts. When my daughter read hcr's, she was sure that not only was it accurate, but that she was going to have a fabulous week! Long before the age of high-tech, sailors read the skies for their 'signs'. You've heard the old saying, "Pink sky at night is a sailor's de- light; pink sky in the morning is a sailor's warning." We like signs. They give us assurance to go ahead and live life free- ly. We also use signs to either justify our actions or to excuse our inac- tion. Its all just part of being human. Reading about the people of the Bible remind me just how human I am and how God still chooses to work with us anyway. Take Gideon for example. He's probably the most unlikely person to ever get his name recorded history. Gideon thought of himself as a 'nobody'. Even when God hand- picked him for a job - Gid has to remind God just who He's talking to. Afterall, Gideon's surname means nothing in his neighbourhood and he's the baby of the family so nobody even expects anything of him. God must have forgotten that! But wait! God says, "In addition to having all power under heaven and earth, guess what Gid? I also know all things." And so God lays out the plan for Gideon who has no trou- ble hearing all the details. But suddenly this man of faith; this live -long worshipper of God Al- mighty is not so sure its really God talking. Could be he just ate too many dill pickles and that's why he's having these strange thoughts! Isn't that our first response? Its O.K. to believe in God and we like to come together in worship. We telt our children its important to learn about God and we make a point of sending them to Sunday School. But what happens when God actually asks us to do something`.? We know what kind of people God wants us to be and sometimes we even know what God wants us to do. When the ideas seem challenging - well, we want to believe that maybe we're mistaken about God. Even people of faith have to trust. Before Gideon trusts, he wants a sing; some definitive proof its really God talking. No problem says God - and Gideon gets a sign of God's choosing. Gideon accepts the task but decides to do it under cover of darkness and hopes no one finds out it was him that did it. It sounds like Gideon is a bit of a wimp, but the truth is, this is real faith in action. This is probably the way most people act when making that leap of faith. It takes real courage to follow through on God's plans - even if we do it in the dark. If you have acted on your faith in some small and humble way - pat yourself on the back. As so often happens, when we say 'yes' to God, you can bet God will ask again. And sure enough, Gid gets another message - a humdinger of an idea! - Turns out Godµ:, Its Gideon to lead his country in battle. From farm- er to army commander is one heck of a leap! And that doesn't go unno- ticed by Gideon. This time he wants not only a sign - but a sign of his own choosing! Gideon wants something scientifically impossible. He wants the dew to fall only on his blanket and nowhere else. The next morning Gideon gets up and sure enough his blanket is wet and the land is dry. But wttit... Gid "starts to wonder if maybe he just wet the bed. After - all, he is under enormous stress! So he decides to try again with a dif- ferent sign. Could God make the dew fall on the ground but not on the blanket? For someone who created the world and all that's in it - this probably didn't seem tike much of a challenge for God. But, once again, God takes the time to give the needed assurance. Assurance is something we all need in our lives. When our children are just beginning to walk, we call out words of encouragement and they move eagerly towards us. Things don't change that much as we grow older. Whatever it is we undertake as adults - we still look for encouragement, assurance, and someone who believes in us. God's message is that no matter who we arc, what our background may be; no matter what it is we arc struggling with in our lives - God believes in us. His assurance says, "We can take as long as you like be- cause I just know that together we can do this!! /st Paper 2nd Potton 3rd Leather 4th Rowers 5th Wbod 6111 Iron 7th Wool 8th bronze gth Pottery loth Tin Or show a bit more imagination. THE DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY BAND. This year, tell her you'd marry her all over again Bakelaar Jewellers 421 Main St., S. Exet•r 235-2720 Listowel, 135 Watlac • Ave. N. N4W 1K8 201.3280 Wkpham, 201 Josephine St. NOt3 2W0 351.1011 A diamond is forever. Annual K of C barbecue Sunday By Carmel Sweeney ZURICH - Si Boniface Knights of Columbus council are holding their annual parish picnic, pork barbecue and corn roast on Sun- day, August 11. The event will take place on the church and school grounds beginning in the af- ternoon. Supper will be served be- tween 5-6 p.m. The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children over five years. 649 winner Congratulations to Don Oesch who was the recent winner of a 649 lottery draw worth $2,894.10. His lucky ticket was purchased at Jim and Laura's Variety Store in Zurich. Ladies league bowling An executive meeting was held at the Town and Country Bowling Lanes in Zurich Wednesday eve- ning to organize the Monday night Ladies League, under the direction of proprietors Tony and Marlene Bedard. This year's executive team will be the Road Runner's II. Bowling will begin September 9 with the early teams starting at 6:30 p.m. Anyone interested in joining up are asked to call the lanes as soon as possible. Quilt tickets Those who have quilt tickets and money from the St. Boniface CWL are asked to return them as soon as possible to Helen Creces..- , -_ Senior Diners The Zurich Senior Diners met Wednesday at the community cen- tre. Tammy Antaya informed the guests of future events, and the penny sale was successful with prizes to lucky winners. Eileen Consitt gave a reading and Happy Birthday was sung to Meda O'Brien. Personals Congratulations to Brian Steckle and Bonnie Roes who were married 'at the Zurich Mennonite Church on Saturday, followed by a dinner and reception at their church fellowship hall. Brian is the son of Paul and Kathy Steckle. May we offer our sincere sympa- thy to the family of the late Louis Ducharme who passed away last Tuesday, July 30, in his 84th year. The funeral was held at St. Peter's Church, St. Joseph. May we also offer our sympathy to the family of the late Lydia Regi- er of the Rest Home, who passed away suddenly on Sunday. Reta Thiel spent the weekend vis- iting with her son Greg and Deb Thiel and family in Stratford. Glen and Laura Overholt spent the week relaxing at a cottage. Brad and Angela Clausius and their daughter recently spent time travelling to various places such as Boblo Island. Dan and Carrie Eybergen and their two daughters from Kitchener, along with Beth Sweeney and friend Petar Nikolic of Toronto spent the weekend with their par- ents, Jerome and Carmel Sweeney. The group attended Friedsburg ac- tivities in Dashwood on Saturday. Birthday wishes are extended to Wendy Rowan, Mozart Gelinas Sr., Carrie Eybergen and Aimee Geli- nas. Happy birthday to Mary Du- charme on Sunday, which was also her and Gerard's 35th wedding an- niversary. A surprise 50th birthday party was held for Peter Jeffrey on Satur- day at the home of son Denise and Sandy Jeffrey at RR2 Zurich. Renee and Meagan Sweeney spent Tuesday to Thursday in Lon- don with their Aunt Sharon and Keva Silverstein and cousins Mela- nie and Stacey Overholt of London. Jim and Laura Simpson attended, the wedding of that son James to Joanne McDougal last Saturday in St. Marys. George and Marg Suplat spent last week touring various places in Kentucky. Audrey McIntosh enjoyed spend- ing the past week in Toronto with her granddaughter, Heather Hicken and friends. She also visited with her sister Joan and Bob North in Toronto. Gwen McEachem spent the week at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Rose -Mary and Al Scott. Charlie and Barb Jeffrey and chil- dren spent the previous week in the Sudbury area. They enjoyed life at a cottage while touring the Big Nickel Mine Museum and Science North. The visited Midland and Collingwood on their return trip. Earl and Doreen Oesch spent the month of July visiting with daugh- ter Wendy and husband Rob Nye in EI Segundo, California. Granton:' by Muriel Lewis GRANTON - Seventy-five chil- dren attended the Vacation Bible School held at the United Church throughout the mornings last week. The theme was Camp Can -do based on the Bible verse from Phi- lippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." The leader, Mary Ruth Waters, opened each morning session and led the sing song accompanied by Lisa Mardl(n on the piano. Pastor Normalie Voakes then talked to the children. The classroom leaders were Cathie Wessman, Carolyne Walden, April Bryan, Paula Pin- combe, Becky Muir, Carolyn Bryan and Cheryl Fraser. Crafts were led by Linda Blom, Jennifer Walden ad Dianne Blake. Snacks were arranged by Jane Garrett ad Lisa Mardlin. Each class enjoyed swimming at the Jim Riddell or Robert Thorpe pools. At the Granton Anglican Church on Sudnay, the Rev. Stephen Em- ery celebrated the Eucharist. The homily was about St. St:phen, the Hensall picnic By Darene Yavorsky - Food and fun are the drawing cards for Sunday, Au- gust 25 when the village of Hensall will host its First Annual Family Picnic. Kids, parents, community resi- dents and visitors are all invited to join the festivities at the Hensall Community Center from 12:45 to 4 p.m. Bring your own picnic lunch, or step up to a food booth right on the site. One of the day's highlights will be the Firemen's Games, featuring Hensall's finest in hand-to-hand combat at the Tug -of -War and making a splash in various water contests. For those hardy hikers who take exercise in stride, a family poker rally is planned. This strolling tour of the village will give some lucky entrants the chance to walk away with a prize, 'and all participants will be awarded a special certificate of congratulations on their feat. Other attractions include games and entertainment for all ages - cards, shuffleboard, facepatnting and lots of activities for the kids - as well as draws to enter and prizes to win. martyr and forgiveness. There was no service at the Unit- Coxen's is now blooming for the second time this year, which is quite unusual. The family of Robert Hardie en- joyed a dinner on Saturday eve- ning on the occasion of the Har - die's 57th weeding anniversary. The Granton Women's Institute and friends enjoyed a bus trip to Frankenmuth, Michigan, on last Monday. Highlights of the day were dinner at the Bavarian Inn, a tour of Frankenmuth City, the pretzel and cheese factories. The family of Rodger Sulad along with Madeline Sulad of Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan spent Sunday—with their uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hardie. • ed Church as the minister is on va- cation. The family of David Head from Saulte Ste. Marie visited with the family of Robert Hardie last Thurs- day. e Cook family enjoyed a gath- ering at the Park Pavilion on Sun- day and also celebrated Bill Cook's birthday. Jean Noon reports that the Mag- nolia tree at Ken Lambourn's home on Main Street, formerly Hannah Colour your world - Michelle Desjardine and Tara Pfaff display their artistic talents during the last day of Vacation Bible School at the United Church in Crediton on Friday. Thames Road by Rhoda Rohde THAMES ROAD - Lloyd and Dorothy Knight of Exeter, were Wednesday evening supper guests with Bill and Rhoda Rohde. Kay Morley, Bill and Rhoda Rohde attended the funeral of their cousin, Cecil Thomson, at Betts' Funeral Home in Brussels on Sat- urday. Doug Duncan of Ottawa is spending his holidays with grand- parents, Jack and Jean Duncan. Bill and Rhoda Rohde were Sun- day dinner guests with Bill and Lyda Jeffrey at Harmony. Mary Thomson, Glenn and Dor- othy Jeffrey, Bill and Rhoda Roh- de attended the funeral of former sister, Victoria Ross at the Sass Fu- neral Home in St. Marys on Mon- day. Wedditlg FioweiAs Jo -Anne Dlnney Call us... we are the professionals r COUNTRY flowfRs • trees • eXetcr • 235-2350 Summer -End Clearance Sale All Patons Yarns All Craft Supplies Select Group 1/2 Price • Patons Yarns • Craft Supplies You'll Find It At... 25% Off 20% Off r 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 L Paperback Special $1.00 off Coupon 1 Bring in this coupon and 1 receive $1.00 off any regularly priced Paperback Book with a value of $4.95 or higher =. w EXETER 235-2202 J Sales ends Sat., Aug. 24/91 BOOKS • GIFTS magg STATIONER 1 (MAW' • TO 1'S • Display Sets • Umbrellas • Cushions • Complete groupings • Discontinued Lines • One only items Manufacturers of Outdoor Furniture and Accessories • Tables • Chaise Lounges • Stacking Resin • Folding Resin • Acrylic Drinkware • Artificial Plants Located on Hwy. 83 2 miles east of Hwy. 21 238-2110