March Winds

Isn’t it amazing how much the weather determines our mood?  Often, we want to roll over in bed and pull the covers over us when we get yet another snowy, grey day.  We are supposed to be feeling milder temperatures and watching the snow melt but it seems to want to keep coming and coming.  How we Canadians love to complain about our weather.

It is so easy for us as humans to see the negative instead of the positive.  We are quick to identify what is wrong without recognizing how much is working.  We are quick to see the fault instead of all that is right.

We spent a holiday week at our cottage.  It was a wonderful restful time but we did lose our hydro for two days.  You might know, it would be the time when all the family was visiting.  I’m sure you appreciate that when the hydro goes out so does our plumbing, heating and lighting.  We got creative and managed to stay warm by our wood stove.  We perked coffee and cooked on the barbeque.  We read books by candlelight.  We actually found ourselves enjoying a time of being free of electronics.  Even an outhouse can be fun for a limited span of time.  We enjoyed good conversations and a quieter environment. All the while we looked forward to getting back the item that we so often take for granted when it is working.

How we as human beings are quick to feel sorry for ourselves and to complain about what we are missing.  So often we forget how blessed we are and how many basic things we enjoy each day that so many in the world go without.  As we travel through this season of Lent, let’s give up complaining and instead let’s focus on the profound blessings that all of us share no matter what our circumstances.  No matter what, we have a God who loves us even to the point of dying for us.  With such an amazing gift of love, our complaints should be silenced.

Have a blessed season of Lent.

Karen

karenhorst@rogers.com

Beat the February Blues

It is usually around February when we begin to feel the long days of winter.  Groundhog Day brings us to the half-way point but we all know deep down that we can have snow storms even into April.  I had to go into our shed the other day and there sat our motor cycle calling out our names. 

At St. Andrew’s, we have discovered a new and creative way to beat the February blues which does not include a number of our snowbirds who are relaxing on the beaches of Florida (not that I am jealous at all)  Our new technique is the celebration of our 160^th Anniversary.  Already we have held a worship service designed the way it would have been in 1851.  I have just delivered  the strongest fire and brimstone sermon I’ll ever preach.  People dressed up in period costumes and we enjoyed learning about the past while celebrating the changes we have made over the years.

In February, we will consider what was happening in the 20’s and do a service authentic to that period.  It has been great fun to prepare and to watch our members getting into the spirit of the celebrations. 

I still giggle every time I think of the Presentor lining-up the hymns or our elders getting their tongues twisted around the Thees and Thous of the past.  If you happen to visit with us, you will not want to miss the last Sunday of every month (excluding Easter) at 10:30am as we venture back in time. 

We have also challenged our young people to design the worship service of the future.  We can’t wait to see what they come up with in May.

The best way to beat the February Blues?  …..  wonderful Christian fellowship. 

Blessings

Karen

karenhorst@rogers.com

Happy New Year! 

How I love a brand new year with all of its fresh, new possibilities.  I always get excited about the new things I will learn and the unforeseen adventures that are in store. 

I am also one who makes resolutions.  As usual, I have decided to lose weight and exercise more.  So far I have kept my promise to myself for 2 days now!  I would love to read more and devote more time to prayer.  Every year I determine to learn how to play the flute.  All I need to do is dust it off.  Of course, I want lots of quality time with the grandchildren.  It would be great to get the train set out and running, and… and….

Dreaming and anticipating is so much fun until it tips the balance into shoulds and expectations.  How many of us set standards that are not realistic or achievable?  How many of us put undue pressure on our schedules and our souls as we try to pack too much into a day?  We can be our own worst enemy in our day to day lives.

I wonder how different it would be if we really believed without a shadow of a doubt that God loves us unconditionally?  If only we could really absorb the fact that we do not have to earn our way to God’s love.  God already cherishes us and understands us. 

I will never stop dreaming about possibilities but maybe my only resolution this year should be to stop making resolutions.

Blessings for 2011

Karen Horst

karenhorst@rogers.com

Christmas is Around the Corner

It is hard to believe that Christmas is almost here.  How I love this season with all its decorations and shortbread.  I love it even more because of the way it stirs our desire to help others and to provide gifts to people who might go without.  Christmas is a joyous season but it also can be very difficult for some.  It’s hard to feel joy when you can’t afford to purchase gifts for your loved ones.  It’s hard to express happiness when bereavement is your reality.  It’s hard to feel excited when you know your Christmas will inevitably mean some family conflict. 

The Good News of the Christmas story is that joy and suffering are both a part of the birth of Christ.  We experience the wonder of the star, the majesty of the choir of angels singing and the delight of the shepherds.  We also recognize that Jesus was born into poverty, oppression and hardship.  The message of Christmas is that no matter how we are feeling or what our reality may be, Christ is born into our lives to provide God’s love and guidance.

May the love of Christ be born anew in your heart this Christmas.

Karen Horst

karenhorst@rogers.com

$2300. raised for Local Food Banks

We had an amazing concert here a couple of weeks ago with Jimmy Fortune as our guest performer.  He was a former member of the Statler Brothers.  He has performed for two different presidents and Elizabeth Taylor.  His concert, to a packed church, was inspiring and touching.  He was so down to earth.  In spite of his fame, you had the sense that you had known him forever.  Clearly, his faith shawn through and so did his love for people.  It was an honour to work with him.

It was also an amazing effort in volunteerism.  Countless people sold tickets, helped with advertising, ushered and set up tables.  Others took care of the cameras and the sound and the lighting.  By the time the evening was finished, many people had made it possible. 

How wonderful it is when we all combine our gifts and talents for a greater good.

Thanks to Jimmy, countless volunteers and a crowd willing to share of their resources, we raised $2300. for local food banks.

Well done Orillia and beyond.

Karen Horst

karenhorst@rogers.com

Suspicious Speculation

As I write this blog, a number of volunteers are passing out bags of free apples to anyone who passes by our church in their car.  We are situated on a busy corner so we have had plenty of opportunities to wish people a Happy Thanksgiving.  We have signs indicating that the apples are free and we have plenty of children helping us.  We hardly look frightening but you would be surprised to witness how many people are refusing to roll down their windows.  A few gave excuses why they couldn’t take the apples.  Many were shocked and then delightfully surprised that we would pass out a free gift.  You can see it in their eyes…that suspicion that we have some sinister motive.  Some were particularly shocked when I refused to take a donation. 

The experience has taught us a great deal about the fearfulness of people in our culture.  No wonder, given the number of innocent people that have been taken advantage of by unscrupulous people.  It has also taught us the degree of suspicion directed at the church and how people assume we want something. 

It was equally delightful to offer a random act of kindness and to watch the reactions of people who understood.  By far they were in the majority.  They were people willing to risk trusting and they were people who would allow themselves to receive a gift without having to reciprocate.

We have so many blessings as Christians.  Let us use wisdom, grace and humility as we help people to understand the free unmerited gift given to anyone who will receive him, God’s son, Jesus Christ.

Happy Thanksgiving to All

Karen Horst

karenhorst@rogers.com

We had an amazing holiday, covering 4500kms on our motorcycle and enjoying company at the cottage.  What a treat it was to play with the grandchildren and watch the loons cruise by.  Relaxing and doing different summer activities is important for refueling the body and soul.  The critical challenge is to build the same into the hectic schedules we develop in the fall.  I used a quote last week in my sermon that speaks volumes about our need to prioritize

The urgent is rarely important and the important is rarely urgent. 

How important it is for us to take time for family and worshipping God and service in the midst of all the deadlines that press in on us.

Make church a priority this fall.  Put God first and you will be amazed by how everything else falls into place.

Blessings

karenhorst@rogers.com

We had the pleasure of accompanying our children and grandchildren to the Elmvale Zoo.  I will have lasting memories of Mia and Olivia both of whom are two years old standing in front of a beautiful male lion’s cage roaring at him.  He seemed quite fascinated by them, hopefully not as a potential appetizer!  The girls loved all the animals but the giraffes were a special hit especially because they experienced these huge animals licking grain off their tiny hands. 

How I love seeing the world through the eyes of a child.  When did you last squeal as you jumped into a puddle?  When did you last laugh so hard you fell over because of the antics of a monkey?  When did you rush up and hug a loved one without abandon?  Children invite us to set aside our weariness and jaded views to engage the world in a fresh new way.  They have much to teach us about awe and wonder as we marvel at God’s world.

We are about to depart on a motorcycle trip as part of our holidays.  It provides the same kind of delight in God’s creation.  You are far more aware of temperature changes, fragrances (!) and the scenery than you are when travelling the same miles by car.  There is far more cooperation with nature involved and a willingness to let the day unfold.  God invites us to cherish every moment that comes to us.  Each experience is offered as a blessing and an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and our Creator.

Enjoy the blessings of this summer and recognize that each day is a gift from God not to be squandered away but rather to be fully experienced.

Blessings,

Karen Horst

karenhorst@rogers.com

We have great news.  We have become adoptive parents!  Before you gasp, let me explain.  Bailey is a five year old cat.  He is absolutely beautiful.  His ears, paws, tail and face are smokey gray and the rest of him is a lovely creamy shade.  He is fur on wheels.  He has already brought us great joy.  When he arrived, he hid under the bed for a few hours but gradually he settled in.  Now he is King of the castle.  He is presently training us about the times he should be shown affection and fed! 

The story of how Bailey came to us speaks volumes of the love of God.  It was during the preparations for a funeral that the family of the deceased half jokingly asked if I would consider taking in a cat.  Bailey was their greatest concern and they were having trouble finding a loving home for him.  He was dearly loved by his original owner and it was a deep point of grief for the family that he might not have a place to go.  Little did they know that we had considered the possiblity of taking in a homeless cat many months ago.  To date we had done nothing about it.  It happened so easily.  We said yes and the rest is history.

I am reminded of the hymn God sees the little sparrow fall.  God loves all of creation from the greatest to the least.  God made it possible for one fluffy puff-ball to have a home.  God is love and God is compassion.  Bailey is purring proof!

Blessings

Karen Horst

karenhorst@rogers.com

This is one of my favourite poems.   It is a must read and apply!

Moments

If I had my life to live over,

I would make more mistakes next time.

I would relax.

I would lighten up.

I would be sillier than I have ever been,

            And I would take more things less seriously.

I would succeed by accident.

I would take more trips.

I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers and

            Watch more sunsets.

I would have more real problems and

            Very few imaginary ones.

Oh, I have had my moments; and if I had it

            To do over again, I’d have more of them.

In fact, I’d have nothing else…

Just moments, one after another instead of

            Living so many years ahead of each day.

I would go places and do things and travel lighter than I have.

I would start barefoot earlier in the spring

And stay that way later in the fall.

I would ride more merry-go-rounds, and gather more clowns in my life.

I would pick more daisies.

I would meet more people, hold more hands, and give more hugs.

I would meet you earlier and know you longer.

I would love you better…

            Perhaps it’s not too late!

By Nadine Stair, Age 85

Blessings & enjoy every moment as a gift from God.

Karen Horst

karenhorst@rogers.com

I sit shivering in my office today as I factor the changes we are watching in our weather patterns.  In March, the muggy heat was almost too much of a good thing.  Now in June, we could stand to pull out our wool socks!  Many have predicted that "global warming" would mean that our weather would be far more unpredictable.  Hail has happened in Alberta and tornadoes have touched down in Leamington.  All the while, an oil slick consisting of countless litres of crude oil, threatens the beautiful beaches of Florida.  We can pretend that nature is not affected by our daily activity as human beings or we can recognize that we have the capacity to damage our planet forever.  Changing weather patterns should be evidence enough.  Often we choose to ignore the truth when it is to our benefit.

God calls us to be stewards of this earth.  Unfortunately, we North Americans have fallen in love with convenience.  Instead of carrying around a reusable water container, we throw away countless plastic water bottles.  We would have to take the time to wash the former.  We buy packaged foods instead of using fresh items because the latter would take too much time to prepare.  We throw compostable items in the garbage because of the mess and extra work involved.  We have become such a disposable society.  Our landfil sites fill at an alarming rate because when it is out of sight it is out of mind.  We pretend not to be part of the problem.

God created the earth and called it "good."  Unfortuntately, it is not an endless supply that regenerates itself.  At some point, we will not be able to recover the damage we have done.  We may feel like anything we do is just a drop in the bucket but if all of us were to change even one behaviour then we could start to make a difference.

There is a story of a King who decided to make the finest wine in all the land by having each of his households bring one bottle of their best wine to be poured into a universal vat.  One after another followed his orders.  Hundreds took their turn pouring their wine into the vat.  Once everyone had taken part, the King dipped his goblet into the vat anticipating the exception flavour they would accomplish together.  It only took seconds for him to react.  He rapidly spit out the contents.  Gradually the confessions came out. The great majority had assumed that their individual contribution would make no difference. They had brought coloured water.  

Let's each do our part to care for this beautiful earth given to us by God. 

On Sunday, St. Andrew's turns 159 years old.  Our puppets, Simon and Bubbles will be coming and commenting on how "well preserved" everyone looks given such an age!  How inspiring it is that this congregation has faithfully witnessed Jesus Christ in this community for that period of time.  The church has survived conflicts, fires and wars during that time.  It has navigated significant cultural and theological changes.  In the moment, change can seem to take time but when you look over the span of 159 years, the church has modified itself significantly.  From no organ (since it was an instrument of evil) to guitars and drums, the church has sought to make the gospel relevant without compromising its content.  That same challenge remains today.  People hold strong and divergent views about how the church should be designed and what worship should be like.  Some would suggest that Christendom  in North America is in grave trouble.  Perhaps, they are right, but ultimately time will tell.  Many dire predictions have been shared before even within the walls of St. Andrew's.  All the while, God has remained faithful and 159 years later, this congregation is still vital and keen to share the Good News.

An Anniversary is an important time in which we take a look at the forest instead of the trees.  It is a time to give thanks for the generartions who have made our worship possible today.  It is also a time to remind ourselves that our celebration is not about buildings, or memorable occassions but rather it is about the ongoing presence of God in our midst.

It is my prayer that St. Andrew's offers another 159 years of devoted service to Jesus Christ.  Hey, since this Blog is archived, maybe someone in the future will read this note!  More than likely, I, like so many others, will be part of the historical fabric that shaped this congregation in the name of Jesus Christ.  A big thank you for all the saints who have gone before us and who will follow us as we honour Jesus Christ in the church, our community and the world.

Have a wonderful week,

Karen

karenhorst@rogers.com

What beautiful weather we have been experiencing.  The warm sunshine, the blossoming of flowers, the song of the birds in the air, all remind us that spring and summer are unfolding.  The loons have returned to our lake.  They are always a symbol for us that a new season has begun, filled with the laughter of children, barbeques and plunges into the lake.  I noticed one other symbol of the beautiful weather.  People are busily starting their gardens, and painting the exterior of their homes. They are out riding their bycicles and playing soccer.  Suddenly, my office is much quieter!  There is more space between the phone ringing.  It almost happened at the very moment the temperature gauge hit 27 degrees!  I, too, feel myself tugged outside by the warmth of the sun. 

Persons living in year-round warm climates do not understand this compelling call of nature to be outside.  I know people in Central America and Africa who puzzle at the way our Canadian eyes light up when we talk about the warmth and beauty of the summer.  They know it all year.  We know it in shorter doses.  The summer sunshine is a gift we do not take for granted.

Perhaps this dynamic can also be true of our time with God.  The danger is to recognize that God is so available that we take God's presence for granted.  God's grace is as close as breath itself and often we forget to be appreciative of each breath as it keeps us alive.  God, is an awesome God who calls us to connect in a very deep and intimate way, not just in certain seasons or when the mood strikes us but every day and in every experience.

As we bask in the beauty of the world around us, let's also bask in the love of its Creator. 

Blessing and have a wonderful week,

Karen

karenhorst@rogers.com

The blackflies have arrived with avengence at our cottage property.  I was madly trying to plant some bulbs,while furiously swatting away at the swarms of these frantic little beasts, when I twisted the wrong way and put out my back.  I remember quipping one day to a senior gentleman in my congregation that God must have been in a bad mood when blackflies were created.  He laughed and then reminded me that wild blueberries would not exist without the work of the blackflies.  From that point on I have complained less vigourously but throwing out my back because of them was not right!

I have been hobbling around ever since.  It is amazing how ongoing pain drains your energy.  It also can be very frustrating.  The simple things you do without thinking become more of a chore.  Somehow I have managed to drop far more things to the ground, only to have to pick them up. I've also discovered that it is hard to write sermons while flat on my back.

While annoying, this temporary pain has been a good reminder of the kind of suffering people face day in and day out.  As I visit seniors and the sick, I marvel at the quiet courage that many people demonstrate as they go about regular activities with chronic pain.  I am humbled by the tenacity of certain persons who refuse to allow hurt and heartache to overwhelm them. When we are healthy and physically able, we can be less than sensitive to people who are struggling with difficult health issues.  

While I would be happy to be jogging instead of shuffling along, I am grateful for the important lessons life offers us if we pay attention.  Taking flowers to someone who is grieving or offering to cut the grass for someone who is recovering from surgery or taking soup to someone stuck in bed seems like such a small effort on our part.  In reality, it can be a huge gift of encouragement and compassion to someone feeling discouraged and weary.

Keep your eyes open to the quiet suffering of others and find a way to reach out.  I have a bouquet of flowers sitting in my office right now.  I know just the person who could enjoy them.  Before the back pain, I may not have been so quick to think of her.  Now, I am fully alert.

It is my prayer that after the pain subsides, the lessons learned will not.

All God's blessings,

Karen

karenhorst@rogers.com

Life always has it's lessons if we pay attention.  It all started so innocently.  Last week I hosted a small clergy retreat at our cottage.  It is remarkable how a day, in a beautiful setting, gives rest and refreshment to the soul.  But this time, I had an important lesson to learn in the beauty of the glistening, cold waters of Big Wind Lake. 

There was only one more person to arrive so we stood on the dock soaking up the surroundings.  I took my blackberry (my son calls it a crackberry!) down with me in case the last person to show up called to ask for directions.  As it turns out, she did call and was quite annoyed with me that I did not answer.  But I couldn't.  Just before she placed her first call, I leaned forward and the blackberry slipped out of my pocket (where it was safely tucked!) and with an elegant little "kerplunk" it slid into the frigid lake beside me. 

My life flashed before me as I first instinctively thought of diving in after it.  I thought better of that plan since the death notice would not be a great witness-  "Minister dies of hypothermia retrieving her Blackberry!"  Next plan was to dash to the shed to gather up chest waiders and a shovel.  Lucille Ball would have had fun with the following scene.  Picture me standing chest deep in water digging at the lake bottom as I chased a lovely purple blackberry along the lake.  It refused to be fished out of the water.  It is now buried somewhere in the muck only to surface sometime later to mock me! 

Remember the song, "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got til its gone?"  If you'll pardon the pun, it was only a matter of minutes until the consequences of that moment sunk in.  All my contacts, all my saved emails, all my notes, etc.  were gone in an instant.  Not to mention that a minister was lost somewhere out there and had no way of getting a hold of me. 

It was when I lay in bed that night, having settled everyone in, that the true lesson hit me.  Here I was feeling sad about the loss of a blackberry while many people around the world do not even have food.  It put all things in perspective.  We fret about time and gadgets when many people worry about where the next bit of food will come from.  How spoiled we are.  I know first hand having travelled to monitor development projects in Africa, India and Central America. 

From now on, if I start to feel sorry for myself for not having this or that, I will always recall the antics off the dock.  Hopefully, I will always be found investing far more energy and care into the hurting people of our world.  Phones can be replaced but we cannot replace lives lost to hunger.

It is a few days later now and  I have replaced my blackberry.  I have been forgiven by the lost minister who had a good laugh at my expense and I am presently working on a specific project in Nicaragua. 

Jesus Christ said in Matthew 25,  "Everytime you did it to the least of these you did it on to me."  He wasn't talking about a blackberry.

Have a great week.

Karen 

karenhorst@rogers.com

Jesus said:  "Let the little children come for such is the kingdom of God."

This past weekend a number of us set up a booth along with other churches in our local mall.  The idea was to showcase the unique features and ministries of our congregations.  We had great fun setting up the display with plenty of pictures of our life together.  We also featured recent donations and work we had done with Malawi, a country in Africa suffering great poverty due to AIDS.  It was great meeting people especially with Bubbles and Simon.

Bubbles and Simon are two puppets which I have brought with me to St. Andrew's.  From time to time, they come to church to teach the children and adults some of the basics of faith.  That Saturday in the Mall, Bubbles quite spontaneously waved at people, blew kisses and on occassion shouted "Hi!"  I must admit my voice for Bubbles is a bit shrill so there is no missing her.  It was so much fun to watch the reactions of people.  Very few passed by without responding.  Some smiled, other blew kisses back and one small child offered Bubbles her cookie.  People, who seemed to be preoccupied or in a hurray, suddenly found time to pause and wave back.  Some even stopped to talk to Bubbles and in turn myself.  Bubbles had a great day and thanks to her, so did I.

It is amazing how we adults forget to play in our hectic lives.  We dash from one appointment to another often forgetting to delight in the moment.  We take ourselves too seriously and we set standards for ourselves that cause us great stress.  What I appreciated again that day was our need simply to have fun, to pause and enjoy, to let the child within have room to breathe.  Jesus welcomed the innocence and sheer joy of children.  He declared them to be an example to everyone about how we are to enter into life's experiences.  Natural curiosity, a willingness to trust, an ability to forgive, these are all qualities that we can bury in our need to be productive, successful adults.  Jesus went as far as to say that unless we come to God like a child we still have not understood the kind of faith God invites us to enjoy.

Take a look at your week's schedule and determine whether or not you have given yourself time to play and delight in life.  If you haven't, then hear a loud shrill voice from a puppet with bright pink hair shouting at you, "HI!  Will you come out and play with me?"

Hopefully, you will find the time.

Blessings this week,

Karen 

karenhorst@rogers.com

At St. Andrew's, we have a number of opportunities for Bible Study.  Some of them meet in small groups each week and periodically we offer a study series.  For the next 6 weeks, we will be studying the Book of Revelation.  So far we have had 70 people sign up!

Often people stay away from Bible Study because they assume they have to know their Bible.  Others assume it will be stuffy and boring.  Nothing can be further from the truth.  We always have great fun sharing ideas and questions together.  When we are honest about our doubts and when we ask honest questions, Bible study can be rich and rewarding.  Far from being boring, the Book of Revelation offers much symbolic language and images that point to Jesus Christ as the One who has conquered evil and death.  It gives us comfort and hope.

Some have used and abused the Book of Revelation to predict very specific future occurences.  In actual fact, the writer was proclaiming one revelation and that is Jesus Christ.  He reminds us that even if evil seems to have the upper hand, the end of the story is different.  A time will come when we will know justice and peace.  Anything that plagues us now will be no more.

Exciting, comforting and filled with imagery, the Book of Revelation invites all of us to consider faith in God since God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  It also invites us to consider what the completion of history, as we know it, might look like. 

Instead of Bible study being boring or stuffy, I have always experienced it as fun, with plenty of laughter and honest sharing.  We are all on a journey of understanding God and God's word.  None of us are experts. 

If you would love to explore more of the Bible and its meaning, don't hesitate to contact me and we can explore together the way that is best suited to you. 

Have a great week.  If you hear laughter in the air, don't mind us.  It will simply be our delight in God's Word.

Rev. Karen  (karenhorst@rogers.com)

Easter is such a powerful and meaningful time in the Christian year.  I particularly love the way we use symbols to invite our hearts to connect with the profound sacrifices and gifts Christ provides.  Symbols can communicate a message that words fail to capture.  From a cross draped in red satin to the communion table covered in black, symbols call us to engage our faith at a soul level.  As we watch candles extinguished, we are reminded of the life taken from an innocent saviour.  As we hear the haunting sound of a nail being hammered into wood, we are reminded of Christ's great sacrifices.  The beauty of a choir's voices blending with instruments encourages us to dig deeper and to search for the Spirit's direction and call.  The joyous trumpets of lillies and the array of colour in a Easter bouquet, calls us to wonder at the majesty and awesomeness of our God. 

Easter can be a powerful time where a cross and an empty tomb speaks volumes even before one word is said.  Now that we have celebrated that Christ is risen, it is my hope that we will continue to live in the experiences we shared throughout holy week and beyond.  May we continue to prayerfully linger at the foot of the cross and may we continue to rejoice as we did on Easter Sunday. 

Perhaps the most powerful symbol of all is Christ himself.  Through his life, death and resurrection, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are deeply and unconditionally loved by God.  

Holy Week is one of my favourite times in the year.  It is a chance to step outside of the regular routines of our lives to focus on the life, death and resurrection of Christ.  It is a time for quiet reflection and prayer.  It is a time to bring the burdens of our hearts and place them at the foot of the cross.  I found it difficult to understand why the Cross had to be a part of God's plan.  Couldn't the presence of God in Christ still be accomplished without such a tragic death?

It was during the long suffering of a dying loved one when the Cross made more sense to me than ever before.  During that time, I found great comfort in the Cross.  I discovered a God who understands suffering beyond anything we have ever known.  The Cross is about a God who was willing to endure the maximum ridicule and rejection that humans are capable of dishing out.  At the Cross is a God who understands what it is to lose a loved one.  Suddenly, the reason God would choose to come in human flesh and even die on the Cross made more sense.  Through Jesus Christ we can know the heights and depths and breadth of God's love. 

I hope you will join us for all of our services and events offered in Holy Week and even more I hope you will spend time at the foot of the Cross as you seek to understand more fully that Christ died for you. 

There is no greater love than to give up our life for a friend.  Christ died for you and for me and all he asks is that we accept that gift and live our lives following his example.  May this Holy Week be a great blessing to each one.

Karen

karenhorst@rogers.com

How amazing the weather has been.  My husband and I actually took some time over the supper hour one day this week to go out on our motorcycle.  I admit, I looked like a stuffed pig with all my extra layers on, but it was worth it.  The sunshine and warmth is soooo good for the soul.  Spring is breaking forth all around us (even if we still have to face a bit more snow.)  Watching the buds appear on the trees and tiny snowbells popping through the cold soil, reminds us of the promise of spring.  They also remind us that with Christ resurrection is possible.   We too can be made brand new.  We can seek God's forgiveness and we can blossom into the wonderful creation God has designed. 

I love the text in the Bible in Matthew 6:25-34 where Jesus tells us not to worry about anything but rather to look at nature and realize that it blossoms and matures as God has designed it.  He uses the lilly as an example as well as the grass of the field.  We all know how easily these plants come to maturity in their own timing.  Not worrying is quite a challenge, but it is true that we can't add another minute to our lives by wasting our time on worry.

Just as we pull off those winter boots and heavy coats, let's set aside the worry that keeps us wrapped up in fear and anxiety.  Jesus loves each one of us.  We don't have to prove ourselves to win his love.  He has already freely given it.  Having recieved such a wonderful gift which is abundantly more exilerating than that first warm Spring day, let us live our lives filled with love  and joy and let us reach out to others with the best Sonshine of all.

Be sure to join us for all of our Holy Week services.  I know they will be a blessing to your soul.

Have a great week,

Karen

karenhorst@rogers.com