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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2018-02-15, Page 17THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018. PAGE 17. From the Minister's Study Take your concerns to the Lord: Versteeg By Pastor Andrew Versteeg Brussels Community Bible Chapel What is your emotional response to the news you hear these days coming out of Ottawa, Toronto and maybe even our local jurisdictions? For me the response is often a feeling of frustration, anger and even some anxiety. I am personally frustrated about the things we are legalizing and the morality that our political leaders are endorsing these days. I think the frustration comes from the feeling that all of these things are going on in big places and in big institutions from which I am quite removed. I feel like I am one small person with a small sphere of influence watching this unfold. I don't like these changes; they affect me, some of them are dishonouring to God and people, and it feels like there is little I can do. Well, I know there is something we must all do as Christians. I believe we have responsibility to be involved in the political process of the country and let our voice be heard as much as possible. There are the obvious things like voting, letter -writing, endorsing candidates who have biblical values and even supporting Christian lobby groups. These are all good, but what we should always do when we are troubled and unsure is turn to God in His word and prayer. God always has the answer and the wisdom we need for everything in our lives. As I turned to God in my County launches • seminars The Huron County Economic Development Department has launched the spring series of skill - building workshops for local small business operators and budding entrepreneurs. Hosted by the Small Business Centre, the workshops are delivered by industry experts who can speak to the latest market trends and best practices. "We work with the small business community to offer content that meets their needs," said Nicki Darbyson, Social Enterprise and Small Business Coach. "This year we have a lot of great workshops offering practical solutions to improve online marketing performance; how to use accounting and budgeting tools effectively; and, many other valuable skills." New this year, the program is hosting a series of webinars that will deliver workshops to participants online. "One piece of feedback we've been getting from clients is that they love our events but can't always attend because of a timing conflict," added Darbyson. "By hosting and recording webinars, we can offer the workshop content to clients on their own timeline." The spring series runs from now until late June and includes a full lineup of interesting topics. Workshop information is available at www.huronSBEC.ca or by calling 519-524-8394 ext. 3304. The Small Business Centre is a program delivered by the Huron County Economic Development Depart- ment and is co -funded by the Province of Ontario. frustration and helplessness, He reminded me of these two familiar verses: 1 Timothy 2:1-2, "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." These verses are the answer to my frustration. They remind me that God sees and knows everything that is going on, and He is the One who is able to change and guide our political process according to His will. The scriptures teach us that it is God who raises up and brings down nations. He guides the hearts of kings and rulers in order to fulfill His will upon earth. And here He calls us to pray on behalf of those who have political authority and leadership so that we might experience God's blessing even under their leadership. We are instructed here to pray for our leaders and even be thankful for them. Our leaders need God's wisdom. They have a huge responsibility and their decisions impact the lives and souls of many, so we are to `entreat' God on their behalf. We are to `pray' for them and `petition' God on their behalf. These words together give us the sense of urgency and dedicated prayer to God on behalf of our leaders. This prayer has their personal good in view, and the good of the country. What will be the result or the answer to our prayers like this? God will bless our lives specifically and our society generally with `tranquility and quietness'. In other words our society will be marked by `tranquility' or we could say peace and safety. In our own lives we will experience `quietness' which is the absence of anxiety and stress. The answer for anxiety and stress is not to make drugs to combat these things more readily available. The answer is to walk in the ways of the Lord and He will bring `quietness' into HURON CHAPEL Every Sunday in Auburn @ 9am & 11 am We Want To Help You Get Through This.... huronchapel.com You're envitecl' a Juin ?s 9n lI ors/ ip SUNDAYS Morning Service Evening Service 10:00 am 7:30 pm BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH • Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743 Sunday, February 18 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. 650 Alexander St. (former Brussels Public School) Sunday School for children 4 to 12 years of age at 9:30 a.m. Childcare provided for infants and preschoolers during the sermon. Coffee & cookies after the morning service. For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621 Steve Klumpenhower 519.292.0965 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 Blyth United Church Est. 1875 Sunday, February 18 First SUNDAY IN Join us as we begin our lenten journey Worship at 9:30 a.m. Hillary MacDonald OFFICE: 519-523-4224 our lives. `Godliness' will also be upheld. This is an understanding and acknowledgement that God is our Creator who has also given to us rules and laws by which to live and honor Him. The Scriptures say that, "the fear [honour, respect, reverence] of God is the beginning of wisdom." We need wisdom today. Our leaders need wisdom and God will give us wisdom if we listen to Him. Lastly, the `dignity' of mankind will be upheld. There is a seriousness, or we could say a weightiness, to our life as human beings. Dignity enables us to hold our heads high not in pride but in confidence, and in a sense of worth and productivity. The opposite of dignity is shame and lowliness. Actions and lifestyles that rob us of our dignity lead to shame and harm and to the dismantling of a productive society. We have dignity because God is our Creator and every person must be treated with dignity. Dignity also comes from morality and God has instructed us in this too. So let us make it our aim to pray and to pray urgently for our political leaders. Instead of complaining and stewing about the things that upset us, let us take these to the Lord in prayer. Our leaders have a huge responsibility, they need God's wisdom and they need God Himself. BRUSSELS United Church Welcome to Sunday morning worship & Sunday School at 11:00 am Hillary MacDonald (905) 246-7386 Macdonald.hillary@gmail.com Everyone welcome The Regional Ministry of Hope Everyone Welcome! Trinity Anglican Church St. John's Anglican Church BLYTH BRUSSELS 9:15 am 11:15am MINISTRY OFFICE 519-357-4883 Rev. JoAnn Todd, Rector email: revjoann@hurontel.on.ca The Regional Ministry of Hope COME WORSHIP WITH US! MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 We invite you to join our church fami y in: Worship & Sunday School - 11 am Coffee & Snacks following the service Come out and meet our new minister, Rev. Charmila Ireland Fridays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm - Soup & More 2 - a free community meal held in Melville's basement, and made possible by the Brussels churches working together. Nursery care available 519-887-6687 THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND HOLY MASS. OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE AS FOLLOWS: Brussels: St. Ambrose Saturday 6:00 p.m. 17 Flora Street Winaham: Sacred Heart Sunday 9:00 a.m. 220 Carling Terrace Listowel: St. Joseph's Sunday 11:00 a.m. 1025 Wallace Avenue N.