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The Citizen, 1997-10-29, Page 18THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29,1997. PAGE 19. From the Minister’s Study Heaven deeply interested in Earthly doings By Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest Blyth Christian Reformed Church Those who read The London Free Press are familiar with the stand that London's mayor took on proclaiming a Gay Pride Day. Her own religious convictions made it possible for her to do so. And that was judged to be a violation of Ontario's Human Rights Code. To this day I still don't understand why any city should be forced to proclaim any special day for any group in society. London's mayor chose not to proclaim a special day for any group that is controversial. That would seem to be a pretty sensible position. But sense doesn't always rule the day. One must be politically correct, whether it is morally or biblically right or not. In our society, obeying man has become more important than obeying God. That, of course, is bound to lead to religious discrimination. The lobby for gay and lesbian rights has been pretty strong. In the process, all kinds of accusations are being hurled against those who do not fully give in to the demands of the gay lobby. If a person believes that a homosexual lifestyle is contrary to God's will for human life, such a person is called "homophobic." If one does not think we should grant spousal status to same sex couples - holding that the traditional family is unique - one runs the risk of being accused of "hating" the homosexual community. Such inflammatory rhetoric isn't very helpful. That only causes more discrimination. If I believe on the basis of what the Bible teaches that God calls a homosexual lifestyle sinful, I should have the freedom to say so without recrimination. That doesn't make me hateful towards homosexual people; it only means that I believe their lifestyle is not pleasing to God. That doesn't make me homophobic. I also believe that God calls pre-maritai sex sinful. The Bible teaches that sexual relations are an act of marriage. Does that mean I hate people who have sexual relations without any thought of marriage? Of course not. We made a distinction between a person and what a person does. We can love a person and at the same time hate his actions. That is a thoroughly biblical position. God wants us even to love our enemies. That hardly means that we endorse their positions. But we must still seek their good, their ultimate well-being. We may not treat my opponents cruelly, nor slander them in any way. We must do them the kind of justice we would like them to do us. We must treat them fairly. What is fair and just obviously depends on the standards by which this is judged. Christians find their ultimate guidelines in the Bible. It is God who teaches us what is right and true. And no human judge or adjudicator may demand that Christians violate their conscience with respect to what they believe God's will for life to be. We may not be Christians only in the privacy of our homes and churches. We must also be Christians on the job site, in the classroom, in our business dealings, and in any other position which we hold. Anything less would make a mockery of our Christian faith. That doesn't give us the right to impose our views on others. But neither may we be asked at any time to act contrary to our Christian convictions. As Christians we must be followers of Christ, no matter in what situation we find ourselves. We must be true to our God, the God who is Lord of heaven and earth. If Christians are told they may not act on their Christian convictions in public life, they are being discriminated against. One's faith is not a private matter for anyone. It guides us in our lives, whether we are secular humanists, adherents of native religions, or evangelical Christians. We cannot neatly divide life into two unrelated parts: the sacred and the secular. Heaven and earth are not two unrelated realms. Heaven is deeply interested in what we do on earth. Heaven holds us accountable for what we do on earth. The justice of heaven must be the justice of earth. And the you are, ‘Welcome at the BLYTH COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GOD 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School for Children and Adults 11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship Bible Studies - Wednesday 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. Phone 523-4590 McConnell St., Blyth THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA you are welcome this Sunday NOVEMBER 2 - ALL SAINTS HOLY EUCHARIST Rev. Nancy Beale Trinity, Blyth 9:30 a.m. Wheelchair accessible MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service Wheelchair accessible standards of heaven should be honoured on earth. The person who believes that must therefore in all things honour the God who is Lord of both heaven and earth. St. John's, Brussels 11:15 a.m. 1997 a busy year for Presbyterial We welcome you to come and worship with us. Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831 The summer of 1997 featured two special events enjoyed by Huron-Perth Presbyterial WMS. The spring rally was a busy trip to Toronto attended by 61 members. They visited WMS offices at 50 Wynford Drive. This was very informative and an opportunity to meet the staff face to face. Lunch was served for the group during their visit to Knox College. The afternoon proved most interesting when a tour was conducted through Evangel Hall and a first hand view of the mission being accomplished there. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed this trip and appreciate the work and planning done by the committee. Later in the summer, the fall conference was held in Shakespeare Presbyterian Church following the theme "You can make a difference". The afternoon session opened with prayer by Pal White. Welcomes were given on behalf of the session and congregation by Rev. Rob Congram, and by Margery Irvine for the Shakespeare WMS. A sing­ song was enjoyed accompanied by Eunice Bisset. Afternoon devotions were given by Stratford Presbyterian Women and was followed by the offering. President Jean Edmonds reported on the recent council meeting. Reports from Synodical were given by Jean Carey, Robina Alexander and Janet Gibson. Jean Edmonds conducted the business and announced the 1998 Synodical will be held in Stratford next April 22 and 23. All groups will be assisting the Stratford WMS. It is requested that all annual reports be given to the secretaries by Dec. 29. In response to needs at Evangel Hall contributions were received at. the conference and a large quantity of food and clothing and money was collected in readiness for sending there. A book table was on display and Sally Scott gave an informative book review. She was assisted by Ruth Ward and book sales exceeded $400. There are two studies available this coming year - "A Call to Hope" and "Loaves and Fishes". Following a nutrition break, Erin Crisfield, area educational consultant, conducted a workshop on the theme - "You Can Make a Difference" - as in joy-love-smiles- greeting-helping-visiting. Every little amount helps and all put together can make a great difference. Everyone must use all their talents and believe and invest in themselves. Following the singing of grace a delicious supper a was served by Shakespeare and North Easthope Knox ladies. Diane Petrie introduced the guest speaker, June Stevenson, editor of the Glad Tidings magazine. She spoke of her life and work in teaching and dealing with people in many areas, some in drastic situations. Using her talents, she has travelled, interviewed and counselled. She also is a writer of film strips and verse. Her advice in facing the trials of life - to "Stand up, Speak out and be counted" for everyone can make a difference. Shirley Aicheson expressed appreciation to the guest speaker. The hymn Lord of all Power was sung and the evening program closed with prayer. BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Rev. Christine Johnson - Minister Church Office 887-6259 Home 887-6540 Sunday, November 2, 1997 9:30 a.m. Ethel Morning Worship 11:00 a.m. Brussels Morning Worship ALL ARE WELCOME! Stuck with a spare tire around the middle? Leave the car at home and walk. Sharing a Healthier kFuture> ■paRnapacnon^® HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515 ASSOCIATE PASTOR - YOUTH - JEREMY SHUART 523-9788 Sunday Monday Wednesday Friday 8:30 a.m. - Morning Worship Service 10:00 a.m. - Family Bible Hour 11 a.m. - Morning Worship Service 8 p.m. - Evening Service 7:30 p.m. - New Hope Support Group 7:30 p.m. - Prayer & Bible Study 7:30 p.m. - Youth Please join us for worship this Sunday Sunday Morning Service -10 a.m. Evening Service - 7:30 p.m. May the -Cord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and father when our -£grd Jesus comes with allJ Its holy ones. 1 Thessalonians 3:11, 12, 13 BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH A Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233 Wheelchair accessible £ S Brussels Mennonite Fellowship 3 G