Excerpts From: The Messenger |
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It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep. (Psalm 127:2)
Have you had a good rest lately?
Is anything keeping you awake at night? Or are your troubles waking you in the middle of your sleep?
Many a times, we are so troubled by the many things that we need to do, that we forget the one thing that is truly important - Resting In Jesus.
Do you remember the story of Martha and Mary? Martha was the one that was constantly rushing around and worrying about how much she has to do, while Mary simply sat at the feet of Jesus and rested in His Presence.
In the natural world, we would compliment Martha on her diligence, and reprimand Mary for her laziness. Yet, look at what Jesus said when Martha complained to Him, ?Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.?
You see, we are often so troubled by what we need to do, that we forget that there are times when we should simply rest in Jesus, and allow Him to minister to us. The world says that we have to work and toil constantly, but God says different. Yes, we are to labour and produce good fruits, but there is also an ordained time to rest. Even God rested on the seventh day after He completed creation.
Why then are there so many sleepless people at night?
Well, it is because there is just so much on our minds! We are constantly worried about what we did yesterday, what we should have done today, and what we need to do tomorrow. Yet, the Lord says that it is in vain to rise early, sleep late, and eat the bread of sorrows.
His Will for His beloved is for them to have sound sleep.
Who then, are God's beloved?
You and I of course! Because we are in Christ, we are all His beloved, (Ephesians 1:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:13) and the divine rest He promised is available to each and every one of us. Therefore, by resting in Jesus, we are in effect entering into the Rest that God has given us.
The interesting thing is, you will soon come to realize that by resting in Jesus, you become more productive! As ironic as it seems, we are often less productive when we keep rushing around, toiling and working, burning ourselves out. But when we learn to rest in Christ, everything seems to work out by itself. This is because God has declared in His Word, ?Unless the LORD builds the house, they labour in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.?(Psalm 127:1) Therefore, do not despise the Rest of God. By resting in Jesus, you are in effect acting in faith, trusting that God will ensure that everything works out in your favour. Let God be the One that builds your career and watches over your finances. Let Him be the One that protects your family and guards your health. Stop acting like everything depends on you, as if you are the source of your success.
There?s nothing you can do by worrying that will improve your situation. Yet by resting in Jesus, you allow Him to minister to you, and let God take care of all your problems.
Yes, it can sometimes be difficult to simply sit at Jesus? feet, and rest in His Presence. We are such doers and performers that we are constantly thinking about what to do next. But it is when we finally relax, and lay down in the green pastures that God has prepared for us, that we realize how much God really cares about us, both watchfully, and affectionately. (1 Peter 5:7) And then, by resting in Jesus, we will see how He always takes care of our problems, and causes all things to work out for our good. (Romans 8:28) Beloved friends, trust your Father?s love for you. Cast your cares on Him and witness the miracles that will happen in your life simply by Resting In Jesus. May you have a blessed month of June.
Your friend and pastor,
Samuel King-Kabu.
Quilt of Belonging: If you haven?t already done so, please go visit the Quilt of Belonging while it is still on display in Montreal at Maison de Culture Frontenac (2550 Ontario East). It is easily accessible by taking the metro to Frontenac station. The Maison de Culture is situated directly behind the metro station. The exhibition is open Tuesday through Saturday until June 5. Hours are 12:00 to 19:00 Tuesday-Thursday, and 12:00 to 17:00 Friday-Saturday.
Rosa received a letter from a lady in Vancouver about the quilt. She wrote: ?I recently took a group of students to the ?Quilt of Belonging? display at the Surrey Art Gallery. I was especially captivated by the cross- stitched piece from Denmark. It perfectly captured my childhood in Denmark. I would very much like to obtain the cross-stitch pattern for this piece, and I wonder if you might tell me if it is available for purchase. Thanks for any help. Kirsten Nowak?.
It might interest you to know that the Danish block was designed by Jette Blair and the embroidery was executed by Rosa Christensen (the cross-stitch) and Inge Nielsen (the red hearts), all members or friends of St. Ansgar?s Church.
The official launch of the quilt was on April 1, 2005 at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. It has toured all over Canada since then.
Recently it was on view in Vancouver during the Olympics. When the quilt leaves Montreal it will be displayed at the G-8 Summit in Toronto.
A description from the Quilt of Belonging book reads thus:
Denmark plays a leading role in embroidered arts, using both ancient traditions and modern innovations. The central scene of this block, is similar to the stylized patterns that appear on bell pulls, pillow covers and wall hangings found in most Danish homes. Inspired by a poster by Michael Fog the cross-stitching was designed by Jette Blair.
It depicts a typical village on a Sunday morning. Stitchers Inge Nielsen and Rosa Christensen brought the scene to life. Life-like a flag flutters in the breeze, a bicycle rests against the home (bicycles are a popular form of transportation in Denmark), and a country kirke (church) rises high in the distance. The four hearts surrounding the scene are done in Hedebo embroidery. This form of openwork in which a patterned shape is constructed and then filled using various buttonhole stitches to form specific motifs originated in Denmark. The block?s border, produced in a cross-stitch pattern, features the popular theme of Christmas and includes such symbols as elves, trees, cats and bowls of risengrød (rice pudding). Many Danes follow the tradition of feeding the pudding to cats at Christmas time, while some children put a bowl of it under their beds for the nisse (elves) before they go to sleep. If the nisse have not eaten the pudding by morning, the children believe they will receive no presents?.
The seven Round Churches of Denmark ? part 3 Olsker or Olskirke - Ols Round Church, Bornholm, is one of the notable tourist attractions in Bornholm, located 4 km. South of Allinge, and can be reached from almost any part of the city by car. It is representative of the art and architecture of the ancient times. It boasts the culture of the medieval age and upholds the tradition of Bornholm.
Ols church was built in the 12th century and was restored in the 1950?s. The church was dedicated to St.Olaf. It is 30 meters high and is the tallest building on Bornholm.
Owing to the small circumference of the nave of the Church, it possesses something of the character of a fortress tower. When it was restored a ceramic relief by the sculptor Gunnar Hansen ("The Women at the Tomb") was set on the new altar table. In the porch are several 16th C. tombstones.
Writing in their book, The Templars? Secret Island, Erling Haagensen and Henry Lincoln present a great deal of evidence linking the four round churches of Bornholm with the religious brotherhood of the Templars. According to these authors the location of the four round churches of Østerlars, Nylars, Olsker and Nyker, indicates a complex but very beautiful pattern of landscape geometry incorporating three, four, five, six and seven sided figures. In addition, the round churches reveal the key to further landscape geometry, which is linked to the other medieval churches on Bornholm and nearby Christiansø, and is also mirrored in the extraordinary landscape geometry of Rennes le Chateau in southern France.
Stay tuned for the fourth Round Church of Bornholm in the next issue of The Messenger.
(This may ring a bell for the Danes in Canada, but the same thing happens with residents of Quebec ? as we mix French and English in our daily speaking.)
Har I noticed, hvor godt vi snakker dansk efter den nye præst er kommet ? nåja, helt ny er han jo ikke, for han skal snart leave. Men vi har virkelig picked op en masse af det vi havde næsten glemt. Før i tiden blev vi helt upsetted når nogen snakket dansk ? for vi skul? jo manage vores work på engelsk, og så ku? det ik? nytt? noget og mix?et op.
Nu behøver vi slet ikke worry, for engelsk er ikke noget problem længer, slet ik? som det var til en start.
Det eneste underlige, det er, at somme tider er der nogen der lige kommer fra Danmark, der har hard ved og forstå hvad ordene mener, når vi snakker med dem og explainer.
Jeg remember især engang da en fyr ringet fra airporten - det var min mosters venindes cousin ? han ringet og spurgt om han ku? visit os for et par dage. All right, sa? vi, så kommer vi og picker dig op i ½ time.
Han blev ved med at sige ?hvad?? og det vidst vi godt, for moster havde fortalt han hed Kristian Vad, så det var ikke en hel surprise at han kom. Nå, men vi fik hold på ham og spurgt hvordan hans flight had? været. ?Hvad?? sagde han ? og så sa? vi selvfølgelig osse hvad vi var kaldt.
Han var nu ellers flink or rar fellow. Han vil? godt se sig lidt around og lært? hurtig Skytrain og kende.
Første gang han skul? afsted, vil? vi lige show ham på mappen, hvor han skulle stop, sa? vi, så kom han med sin daypack og spurgt? om det var det vi mente? Vi var godt nok confused og hentet så mappen over downtown så vi kun? explain te? ham de forskellige streets og stations. Han blev for to uger. ? Ellers er det jo mest i kirken vi snakker dansk, og det er underligt at vi slet ikke føler forskellen, altså lige undtagen når vi synger ? for den engelsk salmebog er heavy.
Ellers er den all right ? man vænner sig til og overse tunen.
Når vi så kommer ind i hall?en til coffee, så er det exciting og se om det kun er cookies eller der er cringle ? eller noget andet home made der skal cuttes.
Heldigvis er der aldrig et problem i enden, der er altid nogen der loader dishwasheren, selv om det er sjælden, nogen signer op for det.
Før vi hitter vejen er der altid nogen der putter lyset ud og locker op.
Jamen det er bare så dejligt at vi kan truste hinanden. Og hvor er det skønt at få brugt sin danske modertunge og sige når de spørger hvordan man er: Jeg er fin ? og du selv? Det mener mere for mig i dansk !!!
Web Page prepared by:
Roger Kenner
& Jette Blair.
Content-New Topics Last Updated: 2010/07/15
St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church - Montreal