TGIF

It's Friday. It's 4:00pm. I've been at work since 7:15am. I want to go home.

The Church Body

Right now in my personal devotions I'm studying what it means to be part of the church body or family, which is particularly interesting because it is something that has been weighing on my heart lately.

We all know (or most of us do) the verses in Matthew that tell where two are joined together in Jesus' name, He is there with them also. To me, this has always been a call to worship, that we should gather together with other Christians to pray and to worship.

So this brings about being an active part of the church body. Being a member of a church is not like being a person's appendix: nobody knows why it's there and you could probably do without it. Being part of a church is like a being a vital organ, like the heart. A heart cannot function on its own apart from the body, likewise the body cannot function apart from its heart. We need to take an active roll in in our churches, not come sit on Sunday and do our own thing the rest of the week (like being a Sunday morning Christian). How many of us don't volunteer because we don't have the time? True confession time: I don't, and have always used the excuse that it was because I spend the week in Hamilton and the weekends at Dromore, I can't commit anywhere. But any reason that contains "but" isn't a reason at all, so it's something I need to work on.

If we are to be an active part of a church body, I have to ask myself where this church body is? My own church congregation is flailing somewhat right now, and I'm at a loss it seems on what to do. While we claim to be a church that believes a preaches the Bible unapologetically, there seems to be a spiritual emptiness in the church. I was challenged at my bible study group recently that if my spiritual needs are not being met and I'm not growing at my church, it may be time for a move. While this makes sense, I don't want to feel like I'm abandoning my community.

For a city church to dwindle and close, it may not be as big of an issue since there is likely one a couple blocks away that can fill the need. But it is a different situation for a rural church. Before the advent of motorized transportation, a person would for the most part worship at their local church whether it was Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, whatever. While the people may have differed on certain things, they could still worship together. The only other option was a two hour buggy ride to the next community. Consequently, a local rural church could flourish. Also, since it wasn't practical to travel all over for entertainment or chase our children to hockey games at 10:30 on Sunday mornings, many social events revolved around the local community and church.

But in our increasingly mobile society we don't do these things anymore. Our children must be active and socialized all the time, and we're all too busy with work and committees and trying to become independently wealthy. Couple this with the ability to cut that two hour buggy ride down to a 15 minute car ride, the rural church is steadily declining. To most, when a rural church closes, there's another close by that they can switch to, so it's not a real loss. However, what I see is a rural landscape that is increasingly becoming more and more devoid of places to worship. If Amos Dromore closed, how many of it's members really would start driving to Holstein or Swinton Park for church? Not many, for whatever their reasons may be, leaving a hole in the community.

But what is the solution? Cut and run? I don't think so. If a need is not being met, shouldn't we try to fill it rather than abandon it? Like the heart and the body, if the heart's needs aren't being met, we have to fill it's needs in order to survive. If the body's needs are not being met because of the heart, the heart needs to be revitalized or repaired (ok, so the analogy breaks down with heart replacement surgery, but you get my point). This should be a great opportunity for growth in the church, but unfortunately most just think it's easier to leave and let someone else do it. Or we're too busy ourselves. Someone once told me that if the Devil can't take you from God, he'll make you so busy so that you'll do it instead.

My Niece is so cute!

On Easter Sunday I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with my favourite niece (and only niece, so far), and I'm convinced she must be the cutest. When it was time to go, she was giving everyone a hug, but wouldn't give my brother Johnathan one. However, when she was in the car going home she started to cry. Why? Because she didn't give Uncle John a hug! She is the cutest.

Condolences to Ray

My condolences go out to Ray, whose wallet was stolen over the weekend. This should be a reminder to the rest of us not to leave our wallets inside our vehicles in plain sight . . . with the doors unlocked . . . in the middle of town.

Cookies

While for a good cause, Girl Guide Cookies are the bane of my weight training program. But they're just so good!

My God is so Great

Every week at Bible study I seem to think of a new topic to blog about, so this was it from last night (or it could have been that I hadn't eaten since breakfast, but that's another blog):

Do you remember the song "My God is so Great" from Sunday School? If not, let me remind you:

My God is so great,

so strong and so mighty

there’s nothing my God cannot do.

The mountains are His,

the valleys are His,

the stars are His handiwork too.

My God is so great,

so strong and so mighty

there’s nothing my God cannot do.

While we were discussion Ephesians 3 last night, I was struck by the verses 20-21 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” We constantly talk about the grandeur and greatness of God (and this is not to diminish that) but how often to we pay attention to the little things? When we pray, we pray for our leaders, peace, etc, but how often do we pray for the little things? Do you pray when your driving for the other drivers around you? Or at work right before you make a phone call or lay another roll of sod? We all know that the God of the great and big is the God of the small too, but how often do we acknowledge him for it?

I had a friend tell me once that he heard a speaker say he never finishes his prayer with “Amen,” but with something more like “see you later.” This may sound flippant, but the intention was that rather then end the prayer and going off on his own way, the prayer would be continuous, throughout his day and life.

So, my challenge for the upcoming week (for myself and anyone who is reading this) is to actively involve God throughout your day. It may be as simple as every hour saying “God be with me” or praying before every new task you encounter.

Just do it.

Cherish your Tailbone

There are certain parts of one's body that we often overlook, yet have a very important function to the body as a whole. Like your baby toe for example. We don't really know why it's there, it just kindof sits on the end of your foot along with the rest of the toes, just along for the ride because it has nothing better to do. It can't really function on its own, unlike some of it's cousins that can actually pick stuff up and even write and paint if you take the time to train them. The baby toe is just plain uncooperative, but it does provide a vital function in the game of "Little Piggy" and you'd probably fall over if it wasn't there.

Not the case with your tailbone. It goes along all day, and most times you don't even realise it's there. However, when you hurt it, you quickly realise how many things your body actually uses it for. Last Sunday when I was working in the barn I fell and landed on my tailbone; not a very pleasant experience (but I didn't swear!). It's not too painful if I keep myself moving around, but I have to be careful not to put too much pressure on it, which is difficult if you want to, say, carry a bag of groceries into the house and your gym bag in the same hand while trying to unlock your door. Anyway, Monday is my upper body workout day, so you wouldn't think that would put a lot of stress on a tailbone. But it plays a very important roll when you're sitting and trying to move a dumbbell into place. Tuesday was a running day, but I decided to walk instead to try to keep some pressure off it. Wednesday is leg day. Again, I tried not to put pressure on it, but it's very difficult to do squats without using your tailbone.

So, today as long as I keep moving, I shouldn't be in too much pain. But, I heartily recommend not hurting your tailbone. Just a suggestion.

Independent Restaurants

I've discovered another thing I really enjoy about the country: the lack of chain restaurants. Sure Hanover has had a MacDonald's for years, and we're seeing the influx of others like Harvey's/Swiss Chalet, A&W, Tim Horton's, and most recently Crabby Joe's in Hanover, but for the most part all we've had are the locally owned and operated, each with their own charm. (Tim Horton's has come to town too, and as much as I like it, the MacDonald Bakery in Durham still had better doughnuts).

Sure you get some with bland food and small servings, but there are also lots of great ones that feature a home cooked meal and support local producers. And the specials always come with dessert, which usually means homemade pie.

Case in point: last night my parents and I went to The Redwood, which is a little restaurant on the edge of Clifford, which is in between Harriston and Mount Forest, or about an hour north of Kitchener for the city folk. Anyway, the Redwood isn't too fancy, it's dining room likely not much bigger than 125G. But the food was so good; far better than anything I've ever had in Hamilton. We all had the turkey dinner, consisting of a good helping of roasted turkey, stuffing, your choice of potato, a fresh roll and coleslaw. The plate was heaped (yes, it was HEAPED) that the coleslaw and roll had to be served on the side. I was full before I got half way through the plate. And then a choice of pie for dessert. There was Apple, Dutch Apple, Blueberry, Cherry, Raspberry Cream, pecan, raisin, Banana Cream, Coconut Cream . . . oh my! I think I could have rolled home after all that food.

So next time your out traveling, instead of the same old chain food, try to find a small independent. You likely won't regret it.

Good News for the Canadian Farmer!

U.S. group loses Canada beef ban bid

EDMONTON (CP) - An American ranchers' group has lost its bid for a permanent injunction to ban Canadian cattle and beef from coming into their country.

The Canadian Cattlemen's Association says in a news release that U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull rejected the request by R-CALF in a court in Billings, Mont.. The trade protectionist group wanted Cebull to scrap the U.S. Department of Agriculture rule that reopened the border to live cattle under 30 months old and boxed cuts of Canadian beef.

The case had been pending before Cebull since last July.

Cebull is the judge who issued a temporary injunction in March 2005 that delayed the reopening of the U.S. border to live cattle for four months over concerns there weren't enough safeguards to protect consumers from mad cow disease.

The appeals court overturned Cebull's injunction last July and shortly after trade in live cattle resumed.

Want good food? Support your local farmer?

When you're in the produce aisle in your local grocery store, have you ever looked at where the food is coming from? Ever notice the minimal presence of Canadian/Ontario produce? Think about what it takes to get that produce here fresh: chemical sprays, artificial fertilizers, and the product is usually picked under-ripe so it ripens (really partially rots) by the time it hits the store. Or, look at the ingredients list on that chicken breast you're buying (who would have thought there'd be more than chicken in a chicken)?

The solution? Buy local! Most of our local farmers are quite happy to sell their product direct to the customer (when allowed; milk is not), and usually at a very competitive price to what is in the store. They can do this because they often only make on average of $0.15/lb on the market while you pay $2.50+ in a store for the same cut. Also, you know (or can find out) how that food was produced, and get it the freshest possible, without any additives.

Since this is my blog, I will be a shameless self promoter here:
I can supply you with beef! This beef is grown on our own farm, and prepared at a local butcher (a Mennonite if that matters). Our cattle a pasture fed and free range all year on our 150 acre beef farm, not a 1 acre feed lot with hundreds of cattle packed in! These cattle roam the fields at their leisure; the way our farm has been operating for over 60 years.

The beef is $2/lb, in 25lb or 50lb lots. A "lot" of beef is usually made up of half ground beef, and half mixed cuts of roasts and steaks. Because of the butcher we use, the beef is quite lean, minimal fats. A side or whole animal is available by special request, quoted on a per job basis and cut to your specifications. Free delivery available in the vicinity of the Hamilton to Durham (the town, not the region) corridor, or by pickup at a mutually convenient location.

Also available: Honey from our on site Apiary (that's a fancy word for a bee keeper place). Pure Ontario honey, available solid or liquid. $5 for a 500ml jar, or $8 for 1 litre.

Occasionally available (seasonal): free range chicken (whole, for roasting). Other specialty items may be available upon request (pork, homemade jams and preserves). If you are interested in the specialty items, let me know and I can check out availability and quantities.

If you are interested in any of these items, let me know, (kn1400@hotmail.com).

Help Free Bob!

Glad to see the Ontario government making such good use of our tax dollars. Check it out.