Join With Others

We recently had the privilege of hosting a very passionate speaker, writer and follower of Christ - Shane Claiborne.

A number of years ago I was reading through Shane's book, "The Irresistible Revolution." I was deeply impacted by his passion for following God as related through his stories and bold telling of lessons learned through life experiences. He speaks of sacrifices worth making; of community worth building; of faith worth pursuing.

I am thankful for people that God puts in our lives to push us, to make us think carefully about how we live our lives and make our decisions, how we spend our money, how we grow our children and care for those around us. Most importantly, people like Shane show us through example what authentic Christian living looks like. These inspiring people met in books, studies or other forms of media can act as exemplary "visitors" who help to regain our focus as a community; to breathe new life and motivate us to stay or get back on track.

The Bible speaks about the importance of living and growing with other people in faith community. It wasn't easy to be selfless in Bible times and isn't easy to do now either in a society that is praised for individualism and self achievement. It isn't easy to be in the midst of disagreements and sickness and loss. Yet the upside down nature of the kingdom of God is that in sharing these very things that upset us or in giving up their importance in our lives to help others, we find fulfillment - we find encouragement in the working out and sharing of God's love. (See Phil 4:10 - 19.)

I have been deeply moved while reading of Paul's fondness for the Philippians. He starts the letter by saying:

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. Phil 1:3-6 MSG

Throughout the letter we find Paul saying things with urgency and with repetition to make a point. The point being, don't give up what you already know and have attained in your faith. Help each other out. These words convict and challenge and comfort.

Just like a running partner can get us out the door for a run in the morning or a friend walking alongside while in a weight loss program can keep you from grabbing food when you know you shouldn't, so to a good friend or group of friends can help grow spiritual disciplines that will keep you growing in matters of self control, fear or other selfish tendencies we want to be freed from.

Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal.
My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don't waver. Stay on track, steady in God.
Philippians 3:17, 4:1 MSG

Pressing On

To my eldest, who is (as "everyone" says) growing up far too fast...I love you dearly and pray for you fervently.



You are done elementary school!
I pray that you will live up to what you already know and practise, that you will follow good examples and be a good example.



I pray that you will press on and grow in your faith. That you will know the amazing grace of God in your life as seen through the every day grace of great teachers and great friends.



You are such a gift to me.

So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately, You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11 MSG

Seeing Things Through

Twenty-nine weekly lessons. About 4,350 practise minutes. Songs. Weight on bow. Bow hold. Scales. Positions. Rosin. Bow hold! Pizzicato. Open Strings. Bow Hold!!!



Initiation into orchestral playing. Joy in experiencing your part beautified by the contribution of other parts.



Two inspiring and world class concerts. The bold, emotional playing of Shauna Rolston; the passionate, gracious and expert playing of Colin Car.



Six weeks of interval training from run one minute, walk 2 minutes to run 10 minutes, walk one. Sun. Rain. Clouds. Humidity. Cramps. Sore shins. Chocolate milk. Gum. Feeling like the wind. Crying into the wind. Modifying training. Defying it.



Anticipating. Planning. Practising. Physical training and mental training.



Reaching goals in the Super Run together. Learning from the ups and downs. Celebrating the culmination of an event.






A lifetime of loving, praying, confessing, sacrifice, fear and growing. Of tears, pain and risk. Overwhelming joy and hope. Of trust in a loving God.



Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

Psalm 19: 1-4

The heavens declare the glory of God;



the skies proclaim the work of His hands.



Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.



There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.



Their voice goes out into all the earth,



their words to the ends of the world.

Joy

Joy is watching your son score his first soccer goal.

Joy is watching your child dance at the divisional folk dance!




Joy is celebrating an answer to prayer with your daughter.

Joy is finding a gem of a book in the library. Joy is sitting and reading in the warmth of the sun.



Joy is witnessing the miracle of spring from this:



to this:



in three weeks!!!!

Joy is watching a plant bloom and grow - one given from my mentor when we moved to Brandon 11 1/2 years ago. It is thriving.



Joy is growing together as a family.



Joy is eating our favourite meal together as a family.




Joy is knowing that God coordinates all things for His glory.

JOY.

What's the Exchange Rate?

The other week one of the beautiful grade one students in the class turned around as she was exiting through the door to ask, "so what is your real job Mrs. Ens?"
In about 2 seconds my mind raced through a zillion answers that might possibly please a 6.5 year old...She knows I'm a teacher...I've been in her class for 2 months! She wants to know what I do with the rest of my time.
The accolades started rolling through my mind. My mind danced around from the audience of a 6 year old to all the people I've ever wanted to impress. Then as quickly as that entered I remembered. I remembered words from a wise choral conductor at a prestigious Music Festival in Banff,

"You can write all the accolades you want. But your students don't care. They won't read them. What they want to know is who you are right now when you are in front of them."

Finally, stronger than that prideful urge was something that has been spoken into my life again and again. To live fully for Christ I have to lose my life.

I said with confidence, "I'm a mom!"
She pushed again and said, "no, like I mean a real, real job."
Again, and with even more assurance I said, "a mom!"
"No," she said with frustrated determination, "Mrs. Ens, a job. Like with money. How do you get paid?"
"Well, that is a good question!"

She forced my hand and I felt peace, not insecurity.

How indeed do I get paid? I used to try living off of compliments and achievements. However, living off that means I trade in peace. The former doesn't hold its value for long. Peace is a beautiful and incomparable currency!
I have struggled through issues of work and motherhood and meaning. What a gift after many prayers, and many moments of practising, to experience peace and not defensiveness. What a gift to know and experience the promises of God.

Do not be anxious about anything but with prayer and supplication present your requests to God and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:8

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isa 26:3

So Much Greater

More than any other project,
More than any other dream,
More than any other hope,
And any other desire.
Even more than fear, worry, or despair.
God has used you,



you,



and you,



To show me The Way.

To show me the need for humility through failure.
The need for sacrifice through loss.
And the great need to replace fear with perfect love.

Even though
my heart condemns me,
my mind replays my failures,
I wallow in loss and hang onto my fears,
You call me with gentle kisses,
sweet toothless smiles,
and embracing arms.
Those are the most powerful words.
You enter these moments.

You call me to let go of failures, loss and fear.
When I let go, You give me peace.
When I trust, You give me confidence.
You are so much greater.

In this,
the calling of Motherhood, I place my trust in Your care
and entrust to You Your gifts of love,
my treasured ones.