VOLUME 1 ISSUE 16
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2007
The next few days are likely to become quite emotional as the community draws together tomorrow for the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies, and then on Tuesday November 13 for the funeral of slain RCMP officer Constable Douglas Scott. The downtown – courthouse - cenotaph area, along with the various churches in close proximity, will become quite busy and then, for a few moments, quiet, as the tragedy of war and lives lost in service to a country fill our thoughts. Both events will make us reflect on the peace and prosperity of our little corner of the world – we are indeed blessed.
Both events will also point us to various corners of our country, our world. There are so many places where our people served and suffered. Years of violence at a level most of us thankfully will never experience firsthand. We saw men and women off to war in foreign lands, often at very young ages. And these Canadians are still so appreciated in many small towns and cities across the ocean, places we’ll likely never visit. Peace is sought, preserved and prayed for.
But the subject of peace is not just something for foreign lands. The need for peace shows up in the people of our country too. Now, our city of Brockville will be forever linked with a small and obscure community on Baffin Island. Violence is not restricted to the large urban centres. Living can be risky anywhere. Serving the people and preserving their peace means encountering people who do not know peace themselves.
In a sense there is some similarity here with Christians, for we too seek to assist, encourage and bring hope to people who are restless, often searching. Showing the peace & love of Christ can call for sacrifice; it can mean moving in areas of uncertainty or places where we are uncomfortable; and we cannot always predict the reaction. If we are really convinced that the peace we have in Jesus is good, we’ll enlist and serve, no matter how high the cost.
A quick glance at a concordance (a dictionary of where to find any word in your Bible) will show a long list of verses about peace.
A few for you to reflect on:
* Jesus said peacemakers are blessed (Matthew 5:9)
* We have peace with God through Jesus (Romans 5:1)
* God has called us to live in peace (1 Corinthians 7:15)
* In Jesus we have peace that is beyond describing (Philippians 4:7)
* Peace is something Jesus clearly said He offers (John 14:27)
Tomorrow I teach on heaven, God’s eternal house of peace. Click on “when the roll” to see more.
So tomorrow we’ll do a few special things at our 9:30 am worship. You will also have an opportunity to participate in this moving service by coming forward with your poppy and placing it on a cross of remembrance.
Our church will also be central to the RCMP funeral service on Tuesday. It will be closed to the public but we are pleased to be of help and offer hospitality.
Brockville people – you can view some of our important announcements by clicking news
Blessings to you all,
Doug
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2007
The next few days are likely to become quite emotional as the community draws together tomorrow for the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies, and then on Tuesday November 13 for the funeral of slain RCMP officer Constable Douglas Scott. The downtown – courthouse - cenotaph area, along with the various churches in close proximity, will become quite busy and then, for a few moments, quiet, as the tragedy of war and lives lost in service to a country fill our thoughts. Both events will make us reflect on the peace and prosperity of our little corner of the world – we are indeed blessed.
Both events will also point us to various corners of our country, our world. There are so many places where our people served and suffered. Years of violence at a level most of us thankfully will never experience firsthand. We saw men and women off to war in foreign lands, often at very young ages. And these Canadians are still so appreciated in many small towns and cities across the ocean, places we’ll likely never visit. Peace is sought, preserved and prayed for.
But the subject of peace is not just something for foreign lands. The need for peace shows up in the people of our country too. Now, our city of Brockville will be forever linked with a small and obscure community on Baffin Island. Violence is not restricted to the large urban centres. Living can be risky anywhere. Serving the people and preserving their peace means encountering people who do not know peace themselves.
In a sense there is some similarity here with Christians, for we too seek to assist, encourage and bring hope to people who are restless, often searching. Showing the peace & love of Christ can call for sacrifice; it can mean moving in areas of uncertainty or places where we are uncomfortable; and we cannot always predict the reaction. If we are really convinced that the peace we have in Jesus is good, we’ll enlist and serve, no matter how high the cost.
A quick glance at a concordance (a dictionary of where to find any word in your Bible) will show a long list of verses about peace.
A few for you to reflect on:
* Jesus said peacemakers are blessed (Matthew 5:9)
* We have peace with God through Jesus (Romans 5:1)
* God has called us to live in peace (1 Corinthians 7:15)
* In Jesus we have peace that is beyond describing (Philippians 4:7)
* Peace is something Jesus clearly said He offers (John 14:27)
Tomorrow I teach on heaven, God’s eternal house of peace. Click on “when the roll” to see more.
So tomorrow we’ll do a few special things at our 9:30 am worship. You will also have an opportunity to participate in this moving service by coming forward with your poppy and placing it on a cross of remembrance.
Our church will also be central to the RCMP funeral service on Tuesday. It will be closed to the public but we are pleased to be of help and offer hospitality.
Brockville people – you can view some of our important announcements by clicking news
Blessings to you all,
Doug
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