Excerpts From: The Messenger |
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Seeing difficult circumstances through the eyes of faith
Everything is all right (Read 2 Kings 4:26)
The following story illustrates how people like you and me found the courage to explore the deepest realms within ourselves. Stories like these remind us of the power of trust. They speak to us of hope and resiliency. We are grateful for those who have opened and expanded their hearts, to share their stories and touch us with their hope, for in each one of us are many healing stories.
Over the years St. Ansgars Lutheran congregation have have seen many people who walked in and out of the doors of this church, some through water baptism, affirmation of faith, others through marriage, others came in broken in spirit, mind, and body but found healing and wholeness in this congregation as they were embraced with love and acceptance. Some are no longer with us today, but each one has left a legacy of faith for us to emulate. Therefore, St. Ansgar's church council has decided to honour these saints of God who have earned their rest by dedicating memorials on Sunday, November 23 at our regular worship service.
It was a custom of the prophet Elisha to stay over night as he traveled through the town of Shunem with a fairly well-to-do family. At first, they simply offered Elisha a meal when he came through town. Then, seeing that Elisha needed a place to stay and study, they built a room for him above their house so that each time he came through town, he had a place to stay.
He was so appreciative of their kindness that one day he asked the wife what he could do for her. His servant, Gehazi, later informed Elisha that the woman was bar-
ren and her husband was old. "About this time next year," Elisha said, "You will hold a son in your arms" (2 Kings 4:16). A year later, the son arrived.
One day the father was working in the field, and the son became ill and died. The woman ran to meet Elisha to inform him. When Elisha asked what was wrong, she did not panic and react in fear. Her response to Elisha seemed almost unnatural. "Everything is all right," she said. Elisha went to the boy and raised him from the dead. It was a glorious miracle (2 Kings 4).
Faith looks at situations through God's eyes, not the eyes of our limited understanding. This woman did not panic, for she knew something more than the current circumstance. Faith does not panic, but realizes that what looks like devastating circumstances may be God's plan to bring glory to himself by demonstrating his power.
We are at a crossroad as God's people, his church. We can choose to panic or trust God by seeing devastating circumstances through the eyes of faith. When Jesus appeared on the water to the disciples in the middle of the night, they exclaimed, "It's a ghost!" (Mt.14:26). First appearances can bring great fear upon us even to the point of paralyzing us. Find the Lord in your circumstance today. Exercise your faith and trust him for his outcome in seeing faith, that God is able to make a way when there is no way.
Jesus did not come merely to give us a ticket to heaven. He came to bring us much more - the kingdom of God on earth. Nowhere in the bible will you find the term "gospel of salvation." The church does not exist for heaven, but for earth. If it existed only for heaven, then each of us would immediately be taken to heaven the moment we believe. There would be no reason for us to remain on earth. So why has God allowed us to receive this new birth and remain on earth? It is so that we might bring the kingdom of God into our world - our families, our workplace, and our communities?
God wants us to bring the kingdom of God into the territory He has given each and every one of us so that his will can be done on earth as it is in heaven. Your domain is your work place, family and community. Ask God to show you how he wants to penetrate the darkness of your domain with his light. Then you will see and experience all the features of this gift that has been given to you, "for greater is God who is in us than the one who is in the world."
May the Shalom of God be with you all, and grant us courage to see difficult circumstances through the eyes of faith.
Your friend and pastor,
Pastor Samuel King-Kabu
Pastor@st-ansgars-montreal.ca
This was my third trip to Danmark, and each time I go, I see new areas of the country, new sights, and meet more wonderful Danes.
Ellen and I were in København for two weeks last month. We had a great time there. Ellen had several opportunities to visit with various family members, and she saw her old house, familiar surroundings, and many of København's famous landmarks. During one of our tours of København, we went to Amalienborg Slot for the changing of the guard. The relaxed security was quite a contrast to the security at our own parliament buildings.
I also took advantage of times when Ellenl was resting to walk around København. Our hotel was about six blocks from Rådhuspladsen, so I often went down there. As I wandered around, I was really impressed with the number of cyclists, and the respect motorists give them.
We didn't spend all our time in København though. By the kindness of friends and family, we were able to do quite a bit of travelling in Sjælland. One afternoon we went to up to Helsingør via the coastline and saw many beautiful old, old houses and "Hamlet's Castle," Kronborg Slot. On the way back to København, we went by Fredensborg Slot, where Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik were still residing.
Another day Inge, sister of Knud , drove us to Roskilde where we toured the Domkirke, where amongst other sights, we saw a picture of St. Ansgar. After lunch we went over to the Vikingeskibs Museet, where I could have easily spent a whole day. It was fascinating, and I changed my mind about the Vikings, learning that they were community builders as well as fierce fighters.
The same day we visited Saint Bendts Kirke in Ringsted. My head was swimming by the end of the day, trying to keep straight who was who and when of the Danish Royal Family.
During our time in Danmark we visited the White Chalk Cliffs of Møn and went over the bridge at Storebælt to have lunch in Odense.
All too soon we had to leave all the sightseeing behind and prepare to come back to Montreal. We were both sad to leave Denmark, but we had a good time there. Ellen was really happy to see her family again.
Denmark always draws me back, partly because it's so clean and quiet, but also because my fathers "mormor" comes from Århus.
I want to thank everyone who made the trip possible - those who made the arrangements, those who offered me moral support and best wishes before we left, those who kept us in their thought and prayers, and most of all, my husband and children for letting me go "home." Mange tak.
Susan
Our September Højskole took place during the weekend of September 19 to 21. It was a joint venture between the two Danish churches in Vancouver. My two Danish friends from Nanaimo and I had registered for the event, and at the more than reasonable price of only $40, we had three wonderful days. Vibeke, Birgit and I were lucky to be invited to stay nights at the home of a Danish couple living close to Granly Church, the location of the højskole (we were out-of-towners, coming all the way from the island.)
On Friday, the 19th, we all met at Granly at around 7 p.m. and had dinner together. We were introduced to each other and were given practical info for the weekend, i.e, starting times, meal times, resting areas, etc. And, of course, introduction of the theme for the weekend; "Denmark and the European Union."
Saturday morning we started the day by hoisting the Danish and Canadian flags, singing "Der er ingenting der maner-som et flag, der går til tops..." At 10 a.m. Anne-Sophia Christiansen, the new minister at Granly gave a very interesting and informative lecture: "Denmark in the European Union." A lively discussion followed. After lunch Kai Glud, the minister at the Burnaby Danish church spoke about King Christian IX of Denmark who was known as the father-in-law of Europe. One of his daughters became Queen of England, another one Empress of Russia. A discussion on Royalty followed with much input, some very witty. Later in the afternoon Don told us about Hans Christian Andersen's travels in Europe. Coming back to the first lecture of the day, we had a round table discussion and we all met for dinner, followed by singing and entertainment by us, the participants. It was a wonderful evening.
Sunday morning started with the hoisting of the flags, after which we sang many songs and hymns from Denmark. We then had our church service. The last event of the day was a lecture by a local Danish art dealer about Danish artists who had spent years in other parts of Europe. Bertel Thorvaldsen is one name that comes to mind. It was a very memorable weekend, new friendships were formed.
Writing about Danes and Denmark without talking about food? All the meals were prepared by dedicated Danish ladies of the congregation.
Kirsten
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St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church - Montreal