live magazine July-August 2021

live A Baptist resource for women on a mission July - August 2021 · $3.50

STIRRED UP Stirred Up to Reach Out Community engagement through prayer (p5)

Stirred Up to Love and Good Deeds: Testimonies from our April Women’s Conference (p7)

Stirred Up to Rest (p22)

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cONNECTING

COLUMNS 2 CONNECTING 6 Staff News: New Treasurer Announced 14 A History Moment 23 We Remember BIBLE STUDY 15 Encourage Love | Inspire Good Stir it Up!

features CONNECT TO MISSION 3 Lamenting Together 5 Stirred Up to Reach out 7 7 8 9

Encourage Love | Inspire Good Stirred Up to Worship Stirred Up to Lean into Relationship Stirred Up to Listen and Lead

11 Stirred Up to Walk 12 Inspiring Change Through the Pandemic

connect to GOD 18 Irritable for a Reason 20 Stirred Up Connecting with God in everyday life 22 Stirred Up to Rest Daring to trust in Jesus

*A compline is simply a prayer said at the end of the day. These prayers were usually part of an ancient Christian and Orthodox evening service of prayer, traditionally said before retiring for the night. It’s also called Prayers at the End of the Day. The Tuesday night compline is a rendering of Psalm 91.

Cover photo: Unsplash.com/PawelCzerwinski

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“Whoever has chosen to make the shelter of the Most High their dwelling place will stay in His over-shadowing. He alone is our refuge, our place of safety; He is our God, and we are trusting Him.” Every Tuesday night, Christopher, Tristan and I pray this compline* by heart before lights go out and bodies settle down to sleep. Most nights they—and I—recite it slowly and with great care. Since 2016, we’ve prayed this compline 200 Tuesday nights and counting . . . through winters of discontent and summers of peace; on tired nights and sleepless nights. Which made praying it over the Tuesdays this past June significant.

In the face of news about bodies deliberately covered up decades ago or mowed down on a sidewalk, the boys and I prayed the words out into the sorrow and silence that wrapped the country.

The act of praying out loud became an exercise of faith—that God is refuge, safety, dwelling place.

The words became a prayer of trust, that even though we couldn’t understand why these acts had happened, God has always been worthy of our trust . . . and always will be.

Over the weeks in June, in some mysterious way, the compline anchored our conversations: Are we safe? Who’s responsible for our safekeeping?

Is it possible for anyone to be truly safe in this world?

How are we to behave with others?

I asked Christopher and Tristan what impact, if any, praying this compline had had. “I am happy we got to pray together,” Tristan replied. “I was able to sleep,” Christopher answered. “I felt peace.”

May community and peace be yours as summer continues.

RJ 

VOLUME 94, NUMBER 4

live (formerly The Link & Visitor) began as The Canadian Missionary Link (1878) and Baptist Visitor (1890). Published bi-monthly by Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec 5 International Blvd., Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 416-620-2954 Fax 416-622-2308 bwoq@baptist.ca baptistwomen.com Executive director Rev. Diane McBeth Editor and communications director Renée James 416-651-8967 rsejames@gmail.com Art director Donna Lee Pancorvo of GEPM Group Inc. (gepmgroup.com) Contributors Linda Ellsworth, Kristine Gonzalez, Ruth Gregory, Kathy Gust, Kaye Haynes, Darlene Lucas, Victoria Mok, Carolyn Vanderheide, Hilary Vanderwater, Morgan Wolf Circulation and subscriptions Subscriptions 416-620-2954 live@baptist.ca Subscriptions Individual: $20* (direct or through promoters) US & overseas: $39 All currency in $C unless otherwise noted.

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lamenting together Learning to lament together is key to praying for justice. On Monday, June 5, as we all continued to process the news of the discovery of 215 Indigenous children, 50 women gathered online to pray for 30 minutes, guided through the service by CBWOQ volunteer leaders. Please feel free to use the outline below and the Guided Prayer script on page four as you pray and work for justice.

CBWOQ Statement We are deeply saddened to hear of the discovery of the bodies of 215 Indigenous children.

Let us consider the tragedy of each one of the children and their families, plus a whole new generation re-traumatized by the discovery of their bodies.

Let us also lament that this was done in the name of Christ.

How was this allowed to happen? Racism.

Racism blinds people. Then systemic racism blocks others from making changes.

This issue is not peripheral to faith. It is at the core of mission.

Think of all the people whose hearts are hardened to the gospel as they hear this news. Even if this wasn’t the case, justice is the nature and desire of God. This is how he summarizes his will, “. . . what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8) Rev. Diane McBeth, executive director, CBWOQ 

1. Welcome and gathering (1 minute) One or two sentences at the start of this prayer time will surface the fact that women have come apart from their evening routines to spend some time in prayer with others.

2. Land Acknowledgment (1 minute) Especially with this prayer time, it will be important to name the hosts of the lands from which we join the online event. Women can type their acknowledgement in the chat.

3. Introduction to the time of prayer (2 minutes) Feel free to use CBWOQ’s statement if you are gathering women from your church or region to pray.

4. Lament/Grieving (8 minutes) We want to give women space and time . . . to grieve, to bring their questions and their tears to God. A good format to use in this section is Guided Prayer. You may find Psalm 13 an appropriate psalm to pray and you’ll find the script we used on page four. Feel free to use it.

5. Confession/Repentance/Receiving God’s Forgiveness (8 minutes) We need to confess and to repent this national sin and then hear and receive God’s forgiveness. 1 John 4:20 may resonate with you.

For this section, invite women to pray out loud, write their prayer in the Zoom chat or pray in silence.

6. Silence (2 minutes + 15 seconds) With this period of silence we pay our respects.

7. Pray for justice (7 minutes) Invite women to pray to the Lord for justice. They can pray out loud, write their prayers in the Zoom chat, or pray in silence.

Use verses that affirm God’s justness and heart for justice.

8. Closing prayer (1 minute) One of the leaders ends this prayer time with a simple affirmation that God has heard the group’s prayers. 

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Psalm 13 Guided Prayer This is the actual Guided Prayer script that women prayed as part of the prayer time on June 7. ( indicates a 10- 12-second time of silence as women follow the spoken prompt and pray silently.)

Psalm 13 We are going to pray Psalm 13—a psalm of lament.

It is important to lament and grieve because we can so easily go around pretending that everything is OK when in fact things are not OK. I will read the psalm in its entirety and then we will pray through it together.

Come Holy Spirit Come.

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?

How long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long am I to feel anxious in my soul, With grief in my heart all the day?

How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, 4 And my enemy will say, “I have overcome her,” And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.

5 But I trust in your faithfulness; My heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

6 I will sing to the Lord, Because he has looked after me.  We acknowledge Lord that often what we know in our head does not line up with what we experience in our heart. But as we are honest about how we are feeling, that gap is filled.

How are you feeling? Take a moment and, from your heart, tell our Heavenly Father how you are feeling. Cry out your grief and lament. You may wish to place your hand on your chest, over your heart.

What are the thoughts or images you are wrestling with? Bring this struggle to the Lord.

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 We acknowledge that our hearts are prone to discouragement and despair. There are times when it appears that the enemy is winning.

As we process the news of the finding of these precious children, we cannot help but recognize the evil that exists. The real enemy is not people, but Satan and all his demons who are trying to keep us enslaved and oppressed. You see all this Lord.

Allow the Lord to free you from these feelings.

The Good News is that Jesus has overcome the enemy, through His death and resurrection, and through faith, we have died and been raised with Christ.  Like David in the psalm, when we seek you with all our heart, We find You; when we draw near to You, You draw near to us, When we ask, we receive.

As you bring your whole self to God, offer your bodies as living sacrifices. Lay all your burdens at His feet, Cast your cares on Him, for He loves you.  We trust in Your unfailing love, Our hearts rejoice in Your salvation and we will praise You for You are looking after us.

You are present in the midst of the uncovering of these precious children whom You love; children for whom You know the number of hairs on their heads; whose destiny is in Your hands. And though they died at the hands of humans, You have the final say. Their tragic death is not the end of their story for You have written their story. They are yours. 

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Stirred Up To reach out Community engagement through prayer Unsplash.com/RosieFraser

Kaye Haynes shares how prayer has connected her congregation and how they hope it will impact their communitiy.

Kaye is a member of Donway Baptist Church in Toronto and live magazine promoter in that community.

“How is prayer going at Donway?” When I was asked that question I had to stop and reflect on our beginnings, where we are now, and where we hope to go. I realized that we are actually on a journey of praye!

Praying loaves and fishes It began with six members of the church family who felt a desperate need to pray.

It was 2018. We were between pastors. Jim Knight from our church family had stepped up as interim pastor as we searched for a new pastor. At the same time, our mission project to bring over a Rwandan family and reunite them with their husband and dad, who worshipped with us, had stalled. We felt we needed God’s leadership and help in both of these situations.

So this little group began: Jim who is now our pastor; that Rwandan father; a new Christian; a 90 year-old; a person with many health issues who needed prayer—and me. Sometimes we had visitors for a spell but what made all the difference was that the Holy Spirit was very much there with us each week.

The first time we gathered we had a small list of prayer items on paper.

This was just to aid us in beginning to pray. It seemed to work . . . so we live • July - August 2021

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did it the next week. Then we added other concerns for prayer, and thanksgiving for the answers we were experiencing. Some people who could not meet with us physically in prayer asked if they could be part of our prayer ministry, so the list of praises, thanksgivings and petitions began to go out via emails and in the mail.

Three years later, those prayer pages continue to go out each week!

Praying through the pandemic COVID-19 arrived in Toronto and churches closed.

However, we felt that prayer needed to continue.

With Pastor Jim’s help we moved to Zoom quite quickly. Now a different group of pray-ers has formed and prayer at Donway has not stopped.

For those who cannot go onto Zoom or feel uncomfortable praying online, the prayer pages reach them by email.

Because prayer has continued, our church family remains very connected.

We have prayed and continue to pray . . . for protection from the virus for all of us and especially for our front-line workers; for our youth and children whose education and future plans have been so interrupted; for our older members who are alone and need contact with us; and so much more. We are blessed at Donway to have church family from many different countries. Most of them are alone in Toronto and many have experienced the death of loved ones during this pandemic. They cannot travel to their families back home and live in deep grief here. Again, the prayer pages help us to remember and to reach out to them during these sad days.

Church friends keep phoning in with their prayer requests and answers to prayer. They want to be included and to know that they are part of God’s family.

(A by-product of having to use Zoom is that Pastor Jim prepares the Zoom meeting invitation for us and so he graciously invites everyone from Donway to pray with us. Because of this weekly invitation to prayer, all of us at Donway are reminded that prayer is aUnsplash.com/MehrshadRajabi constant and vital part of our ministry.)

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Praying into the future One of our ongoing prayers at the present time is that God will show Donway His plan for us as we go through CBOQ’s revitalization process with other Canadian Baptist churches.

Right now, we are taking our prayers out into our immediate neighbourhood. Our deacons have invited us to pray for the families who will move into the houses being constructed next door to our church.

Each of us was asked to pray for one house that would become a home to newcomers. We are also hoping to set up a prayer outreach to all our neighbours, asking them for specific prayer requests or simply offering a listening ear.

We thank our Living Father who wants us to pray, who hears us and responds in so many beautiful ways.

This is our journey and it has just begun. It is exciting to see where prayer will lead us. 

Staff News

CBWOQ Welcomes New Treasurer

We are happy to welcome our new treasurer, Rose Amer. Rose is a bi-vocational pastor with her husband Amer. They planted a non-denominational church in Niagara Falls seven years ago and they are in the process of moving the church to become part of CBOQ. Rose also does accounting for the Salvation Army. Rose loves travelling, long road trips, and stores as many good theological books as she can into her basement library.

You can reach Rose at cbwoqtreasurer@baptist.ca

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Encourage Love | Inspire Good acting on God’s promises together Three women share on what’s been stirred up in their souls after Baptist Women’s April 2021 Conference

Stirred Up to Worship

by Hilary Vanderwater Hilary worships at Queen Street Baptist Church in St. Catherines, Ontario, sits on Baptist Women’s board, and is the leader for Baptist Women’s Complete missional leadership development program.

Conference: from com “together” + ferre “to bear, carry” also “to bear children”) (https://www.etymonline.com/word/ conference) I’ve been to my share of conferences. Conferences on autism, ADHD, brain development, knitting, fibre arts, watercolour painting, money management and numerous Christian topics . . . some (now that I look back on them) with

You may access videos of all the sessions except the annual general meeting on our website. You’ll also find some great resources there. Just go to https://baptistwomen.com/ resources/2021-baptist-womensconference-videos-and-resources/

dubious Christian theology.

I’ve been to conferences where I knew no one and conferences where I went and remained with a group of friends. Conferences where I would have preferred to stay at home and get caught up on laundry, and conferences I attended with an open and thirsty mind, content to be in that place at that moment.

And all of these experiences upheld the origins of the word conference to varing degrees. We gathered together and information was carried from one person to another. Sometimes new ideas were birthed.

So what of our recent Baptist Women’s Conference?

The musical worship segment with Jenna Cowans resonated with me. This segment was not the lengthiest in terms of minutes on the clock, but its impact for me was compelling. I had seen Jenna along with a small accompanying band at our last in-person Baptist Women’s conference. I had enjoyed

the music, but I was not sitting close to her and joined in as I could from my seat amidst the sizable congregation. I was sitting with my family and friends. In all likelihood, I was somewhat distracted by the excitement of their presence. At this year’s online Conference, I perceived an intensity during the musical worship which I had not experienced at our conferences before.

Admittedly, I first observed that Jenna was in a home (given the sheer draperies and lamp behind her, and that there was piano accompaniment). Was it coming from nearby or was it recorded earlier?

I will confess that the context left me trying to figure out a few things in the beginning. This is where my mind goes.

In Wednesday’s session, Jenna introduced her first song as one of her favourites. Then she invited us to sing with her. So sitting in my kitchen, I sang along with Jenna.

Jenna and me, belting out a duet of Yes and Amen. An expressive young Black woman and an almost senior live • July - August 2021

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silver-haired white woman, not merely singing together, but joining hearts in worship. And we were worshipping with all of the many women who had gathered online.

In my mind’s eye I could see them in their homes, sitting at kitchen tables, desks, or propped up on sofas or beds. We were worshipping the same God, reminding each other of His character. We were joined together and we were carrying.

Across the miles, through the

Holy Spirit, we were carrying and sharing the encouraging message of God’s faithfulness from 2 Corinthians 1:20. For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Clearly, Jenna drew me into worship with her warm and inviting expressions. And in the privacy of my kitchen, I too could open my upturned hands and raise them

to God. Would I do this in a public gathering? That’s doubtful.

This year, via Zoom, space was permeated and I was drawn into an intimate yet expansive worship opportunity which I had not expected, given that this was not a live venue. Jenna invited me to join her in worship of a faithful God who spurs us on toward love and good deeds. And I accepted her invitation. Thank you, Jenna. The laundry can wait. 

Stirred Up to Lean into Relationship

by Carolyn Vanderheide Carolyn was active at Lakefield Baptist Church and in the community for eight years. She leads Guided Prayer and co-leads Baptist Women’s Prayer Network program.

We invite you to listen to Guided Prayer when you can. Sign up at baptistwomen.com/resources/ baptist-womens-prayer-network/ guided-prayer.

Mee Yun Kim’s Thursday night workshop on practicing group discernment solidified in my mind and heart the importance of identity, presencing and relationship in ministry leadership.

Identity I was 27 when I became a Christian and so I was keenly aware that God was making me into something new. I was being made new—beyond just character trait changes.

The change in me was tied to identity—I was a new creation in Christ.

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Mee Yun’s teaching on the source of our identity reminded me of how that truth was so key in my conversion experience.

Identity is internal, the work that God is doing at the very core of who we are. When we draw closer to God, we will find our identity.

God will use external factors as a catalyst but our core identity is within us and is being created in us—not a response to something external. What does it mean to be in Christ? What does it mean to be a new creation? These are the questions we all answer along our way.

I loved that Mee Yun firmly anchored those questions in the context of community; that community must be the place—a safe place where we can work those identity issues out with God and with each other.

“Presencing” Women are often do-ers. We work together on projects, programs

and events. Often, we are keenly aware of the benefit of the relational aspect of working together.

We delight in being together and know the gathering of many is greater than the numbers involved.

However, our focus can be on events. Mee Yun reminded us that our focus must be on the relational—and that offering space where I can be present to you is key. Mee Yun calls this presencing.

Presencing then, is not only the Guided Prayer space; it’s the Friday coffee/soup and afternoon open houses I’d hosted for my women friends and their families pre-COVID-19.

God is teaching me through one-on-one conversations with the women with whom I have relationships . . . that I don’t need to fix them or provide answers when they reach out with questions.

Rather, I’m simply to become aware of what God is doing in their lives and to affirm that.

Unsplash.com/BradKillen

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Relationships Clearly, relationship is key. Mee Yun reminded me that my role is simply to be present and open.

I loved Mee Yun’s questions around presencing: Who are you?

Who has God created you to be and how may I walk with you, and you with me? Asking each other these questions feels key to me as I continue to lead Guided Prayer and now co-lead Baptist Women’s Prayer Network.

Mee Yun’s questions confirmed for me that God is OK with our feelings . . . so what we then have permission to do is ask about people’s feelings: How do you think God feels

about you? This question often lies underneath our actions and shapes how we respond and draw near to Him. Is God a God of grace or condemnation?

As I look to future ministry, three things have emerged since Mee Yun’s workshop: First – I would love to identify other women that have this wiring, this gifting to be present and to hold space for others; I want to facilitate and help them grow in their ability to discern how God is at work in others. These women don’t know what to do with what they see and may be wondering how God can use them in their families,

churches and communities.

Second – I’d like to be more equipped myself . . . so that I can practice presencing with other people.

Third – I’d love to see others grow in their awareness that being uncomfortable is OK and that seeing others struggle is OK. God is stirring something up in that person and to diminish their struggle or make it go away may be capping God’s work in that person’s life. Can we grow in our ability to simply be present with, and facilitate, a safe space where those people can work out their struggles with God? I hope so. 

Stirred Up to Listen and Lead

I have a five-second rule when I know God is asking me to do something and I feel inadequate,

ill-equipped and scared. I count backwards from five and then I just do what He’s asked me to do.

Therefore, Karen Wilson’s Friday night sermon on Deborah really resonated with me.

Karen’s words reminded me that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Often as women, we don’t realise that we

are warriors. Quite the opposite— we wear many hats and because we do, we may often think that we don’t do anything well. We miss the truth that we are strong individuals; rather, we simply think that we have lots to do.

These are three of my takeaways from Karen’s message.

Jenna Cowans facilitates worship

Mee-Yun Kim leads workshop

Karen Wilson preaches

by Darlene Lucas Darlene is is one of Baptist Women’s racial justice team leaders and chair of the deacons’ board at Weston Road Baptist Church, Toronto..

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Do it afraid and listen to God’s prompts “Do it afraid,” Karen encouraged us.

When we stop and listen and are obedient, then all things are possible. Sometimes fear keeps us from trusting God. Karen showed us a way out of that cycle. She shared about turning back to chat with a youth on the street, after missing the first opportunity when God had prompted her to stop. The key to moving from fear to trust is to listen and follow God’s prompting.

I also leaned in to Karen’s wisdom—that we listen through reading the Word. God speaks through the Bible. When we read the Bible, we are listening to God. Receive God’s grace I also loved how Karen spoke about grace. What is grace and what does grace mean?

When Karen prayed, I felt like God was speaking directly to me: Darlene, I understand your fear. I hear your fear. Just trust Me. Just listen. I’m not going anywhere. Be ready for what I have planned for you. Through Karen’s prayer, Jesus was calling me to have faith in Him and to submit to Him in a way that I haven’t before.

Remember that women are leaders When I read the Bible, do Bible studies and hear sermons—often on leadership—women are rarely mentioned. Church leadership is mostly male. So for me to hear Karen’s preaching on Deborah and 10 live • July - August 2021

then receive the gift of her prayer was nothing short of revolutionary.

I heard, through Karen, that women are worthy and valued; that I am worthy and valued.

The reality is that women are leaders. Each of us comes with a gift to the ministry table, so how could we not be worthy? How could we not be unique?

I’ve listened to the Friday night Conference video and Karen’s prayer several times since April 23.

And I’ve made a few applications.

I’m being more intentional about

listening to God’s calling. I’m not questioning when different opportunities for service come up that I’m not sure I can do. Instead, I’m asking God every day to prepare my heart and mind to respond faithfully to whatever He calls me to do. Finally, I’m learning to be patient with this process and to trust that God will reveal all things. Despite all that I have been and done in my life; despite where I’ve been and the mistakes I’ve made—God wants to use me and will use me. I’m learning to be still —in body and in mind. 

Karen Wilson’s Friday Night Prayer “Instead of me speaking, why don’t we listen to the words Jesus is saying. I sense He is speaking the following things to many women tonight: My daughter, I want you to know—I am good.

I am always good.

I have been yesterday, I am today and I will be forever.

My plans are good. My purposes are good. My love is good.

And I have chosen you to carry My goodness and to impact your world.

So, just listen to Me, hear My voice. You don’t have to know every step or part of the plan. Just trust Me, put your hand in mine and together we will walk the journey ahead.

You will have to summon all the courage you have; you will have to find strength you didn’t know you had; you will have to respond with a yes, where in the past you may not have done so . . . and then hold on tight. It’s going to be an adventure. Perhaps not what you had planned—but definitely what I did.

I will never leave you nor forsake you.

I will be with you forever.

So, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions I give you in Scripture.

Do not deviate from them, turning neither to the right or to the left. Stay the course. Stay faithful. Stay with Me. We will walk this journey together.

We will see this world a better place because of who YOU are.

You are called.

You are capable.

You are stronger than you think.

With me, you have everything you need.

I love you. Amen.”

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stirred up to walk Loving your neighbours . . . one hallway at a time

This piece from Ruth Gregory appeared in the May 21, 2021 issue of be the Light, the online news bulletin of Kingsway Baptist Church, Toronto. Ruth’s piece was edited for clarity.

Unsplash.com/AlexandraGorn

I have a project in mind for myself and others who might pray about it also.

I live on the sixth floor of a seniors’ residence where there are 15 apartments, some with couples, but most are singles.

I can name about half of the residents, but I have never laid eyes on the others. Some residents have not been out of their rooms since the beginning of the pandemic when we were all confined to our rooms. Our meals are served and recreation workers do one-on-one sessions for essential exercise. They also supply puzzles, word searches and more. Many residents have personal social workers morning and evening.

Most of the really elderly residents are Portuguese or Italian and some do not speak any English. A priest used to come for Communion regularly, and a Protestant minister came . . . mostly to the condominium next door to offer hymn singing and a devotional. However since COVID-19 restrictions began, there has not been anything.

There is a Mass on television every day and so I got the person in charge of recreation to make sure they knew how to get that daily worship, and of course there are all sorts of churches to tune into.

I was reading in live magazine about prayer walks and plan to just walk this hallway once a day and pray that residents will refocus on their faith, or that they will find faith in Christ.

Please pray for Ruth as she does this prayer walk, and please join her in prayer for the residents.  live • July - August 2021

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Inspiring change through the pandemic Strategic Giving 2021

Every month, CBWOQ sends support for National Staff Lilian Yang and Pastor Xiaodan Gang— missionaries who come from the same group being ministered to.

CBM NATIONAL FIELD STAFF, Lilian Yang serves in the Golden Triangle Region (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos) Lilian is originally from Myanmar.

Her role is to help equip pastors and laypeople through Christian theological training at Thailand Bethel Theological Institute (TBTI).

Different areas of ministry are addressed, such as church planting, integral mission and support for churches and their leaders.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting classes has meant synchronizing online and in-person classes. Greater preparation and flexibility are required but have led to valuable teaching experiences.

Lilian and her husband Joseph have been able to continue serving u Leading Bible study at Maesai Baptist Church All photos courtesy CBM

by Kristine Gonzalez, Canadian Baptist Ministries 12 live • July - August 2021

at local churches on weekends.

Lilian records devotional video resources, allowing her to maintain fellowship with local members.

On February 1, 2021, a military coup in Myanmar launched a political conflict that has impacted Lilian’s ministry and students. A military-issued internet blackout left TBTI students in Myanmar without any access, but teachers still managed to send them handouts and class audio records to help them complete their courses for the 2020 school year.

The situation in Myanmar also impacts two other ministries that Lilian oversees. One ministry is in the mountainous Lahu villages of Northern Thailand, led by Pastor Duodo. In 2020 he made seven

trips to the villages, leading more than 80 villagers to Christ. Since February 2021, military checkpoints enroute to the villages have made travel challenging. However, with God’s help, Pastor Duodo and his team still visited as many villagers had asked for them to come. As a result, they created a new church building plan, and 17 more villagers have accepted Christ!

The second ministry is the Zheng Zhu student centre in the border town of Tachileik between Thailand and Myanmar. Pandemic school closures meant the ministry had to adapt. The centre’s director Pastor Zhao Shan Neng and his coworkers took on the responsibility of personally teaching the centre’s 76 students so that they

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Top left: Pastor Duodo preaching to new Lahu village believers, some of whom were baptized later on Bottom left: Zheng Zhu Centre Top right: Pastor Duodo at the new church building ceremony in the Lahu village Bottom right: In-person and online classes at Thailand Bethel Theological Institute

could continue their education.

With growing unrest in Myanmar, safety and limited resources were of concern. The team began growing vegetables—a creative way to reduce food costs and minimize their travel. Students learned new skills and improved their nutrition.

“We thank God, for He is working through our ministries despite the challenges,” says Lilian. “We also see that the needs of the people are met through our projects and can testify to God’s grace in their lives. We experienced that God is working among His people in a new way. He is leading us to walk through every circumstance.”

Please pray for God’s continued leading and guidance in the Golden Triangle Region through the pandemic. Pray for Lilian and Joseph, and the mission partners and their families; that they would

be able to support each other and work together to serve the Lord and the local people. Pray for the coming school year and its students; for Lilian’s physical and spiritual strength as she prepares to teach two courses this summer.

PASTOR Xiaodan Gang serves with CBM’s Chinese Ministries Team, ministering to Chinese students in the university town of Marburg, Germany. Germany offers free, quality education so

many Chinese students make it their temporary home, even though the transition can be isolating and alienating. Many students encounter the gospel there for the first time, joining a church, getting involved in ministry groups, and even serving the church and community. In partnership with a local organization called Forum of Mission to Chinese in Germany (FMCD), and together with local churches, Pastor Gang helps lead fellowship groups, Bible studies, live • July - August 2021

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services and training programs for new leaders.

In this second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry continues online, making getting to know new students and building relationships more challenging. However, Pastor Gang shares: “It’s very encouraging to see how the people in our church continue in their faithful relationship with the Lord. As far as it is possible, I meet people personally to build relationships and for discipling.

This season is a good time for discipleship!”

A German reading group also started several months ago, which has been an excellent opportunity to reach students. Sharing God’s hope, grace and love is needed now more than ever.

The challenge of a transient college ministry is that students come and go, but it also provides an opportunity to share the gospel with a larger demographic.

Pray that as students leave and

pursue other opportunities, they will find people who support them and continue to disciple them in Christ.

God continues to work in and through the local church, no matter the circumstance. It is because

of your generous ongoing partnership to act as the hands, feet and hope of Jesus across the globe in all seasons, that we continue to witness God’s faithfulness at work. 

a history moment Holke and Her Boys A story from our past to inspire our present

As Amelia “Holke” Holcum lies dying in a Sarnia hospital in 1948, she calls for a Baptist pastor. Rev. S. R. McClung of Central Baptist comes to her bedside. He finds a small, very old Black woman who is thought to be between 95 and 105. “You are going to bury me in about two weeks,” she tells him. “My boys will be there. Be good to them.” Pastor McClung is puzzled, as Amelia has no known living relatives. Less than two weeks later, he pronounces the benediction at her funeral. No one in the crowd of people of all ages, black and white, leaves. One man comes forward and says, “I was a drunk.

Holke got hold of me and took me in. Now I am a sergeant in the police.” Another steps forward: ‘In the Depression I was homeless and desperate. Holke took me in for three months until I got on my feet.”

In all, 24 men tell how they had found direction and courage in the little frame house Amelia had helped her husband build before his death many years ago.

The Sarnia Canadian Observer takes up the story of this “true Christian,” one of 14 children born to a Baptist pastor in Buxton, near Chatham.

From the March 1949 Link & Visitor As found on Page 177 in Our Heritage Becomes Our Challenge: A Scrapbook History of the Baptist Women’s Movement in Ontario and Quebec, by Esther Barnes

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ENCOURAGE LOVE | INSPIRE GOOD—Stir it up!

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.

Hebrews 10:23-24 (ESV)

Over the past two years we have witnessed an abundance of “stirring up”—over the questions of stolen elections, COVID-19 restrictions, failing businesses, failing health, vaccinations, education, health care, racial and socio-economic inequity and injustice, failed ministries . . . and the list goes on. The Church has been drawn into this whirlwind of stirrings in ways not witnessed by humanity in decades.

by Linda Ellsworth Linda is the member care coordinator for Christian Camping International, Canada.

The writer to the Hebrews, however, commended an entirely different kind of “stirring up.” He encouraged believers to “consider” (take time to carefully think about and purposefully plan) how to stir up and prompt each other to sincere agape love, the automatic outcome of which should be good works (deeds and actions done for the benefit of others).

Describe what the above statement means to you, and why: _________________________ _________________________ 1 John is a sweeping overview of the “how’s and why’s” of agape love and its outcomes.

READ all of I John. Together we will ask the Spirit to teach us how to consider each other, and to aspire to “stir it up” through agape love.

But before we can be instruments of agape love, we MUST deal with that wall that separates us from the Source of Love.

READ I John 1:1-4 - The Wall Why do you think John introduced his letter in this manner? What fact presented here is critical to our acceptance of the Good News of Jesus? Have you ever used this fact in telling others the story of Christ’s love? _________________________ _________________________ READ verses 1:5-10 and 2:1-14 Continuing on from his introduction, John segues into a lengthy explanation of the invisible wall that prevents us from shedding that Light of agape love. What is that wall? (1:6,8,10) _________________________ _________________________ Based on John’s assertion that God is Light, with no hint of darkness, that “wall” creates three major issues: • We are liars (verse 6) • We deceive ourselves (verse 8) • We make God a liar (verse 10) live • July - August 2021

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Have you ever thought of your sin in these terms? _________________________ When you consider the three issues above in your life, how does it make you feel? _________________________ What is the result of turning a blind eye to that wall of sin? _________________________ _________________________ • We can become glib in our claim of knowing the Father (1:6).

• We fail to follow His commandments (2:3-4).

• We fail to love . . . in fact, we hate (2:9,11).

• Hatred spreads a shroud of darkness over us, and blinds us to the leading of the Spirit (2: 9,11).

Stop for a moment before the Lord and ask Him where you have allowed the wall of sin to hinder you in this last pandemic year. Think in terms of your innermost thoughts and feelings, your spoken words, your actions (or lack of action), regarding ANY person in your life.

How long will your list be? _________________________ _________________________ But the good news is we are not without hope!

READ I John 2:1-2 Here John gives the basis for that hope. Explain these two verses in your own words: (*see the hint below) _________________________ _________________________

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*Propitiation means “averting the wrath of God by the offering of a gift.”

It refers to the turning away of the wrath of God as the just judgment of our sin by God’s own provision of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

AN ESSAY BY Ligon Duncan https://www.thegospelcoalition.org READ 1 John 1:9 I John 1:9 is perhaps one of the most hope-filled verses in all of Scripture.

What do the following key words from this verse say to you?

• Confess ___________________ • Faithful ___________________ • Just ______________________ • Forgive ____________________ • Cleanse ____________________ • All _______________________ • _________________________ Remember that “long list” you made? Claim I John 1:9 right now, and take it to Him, in whom is no darkness at all! _________________________ READ 2:3,5,6,10 The evidence is in the outcome!

• Keeping His commandments proves to us that we know Him (verse 3).

• Keeping His commandments guarantees our ongoing maturity in Him (verse 5).

• Keeping His commandments with a pure heart results in agape love shared with all around us (verse 10).

• The results are all-inclusive.

READ 2:12-14 ( . . . in today’s society, I am sure John would include women in this list!)

What specifically touches your heart in the tender “asides” John addresses in verses 12-14? _________________________

READ I John 2:15-29 – Warnings Amid Encouragement In verses 18-23, John gives a very specific warning. In your understanding, what does the term the Antichrist mean? _________________________ ANTICHRIST (ἀντίχριστος, G532) meaning principally against Christ, or secondarily, instead of, i.e., a substitute or pseudochrist.

1 John 2:22 defines antichrist as one who “denies that Jesus is the Christ.” In this passage, also, an antichrist is defined as one who is a denier of the deity of Jesus Christ.

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE BIBLE – ANTICHRIST https://www.biblegateway.com/

READ verses 22-23 John has spent, and will spend, several chapters in this letter advocating agape love. Why do you think he has posted this dire warning in the middle of his letter? _________________________ _________________________ How does this warning apply to you in your 2021 day-to-day living? _________________________ _________________________

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What are some ways in which the anti-Christs in your sphere of living might seek to derail your sharing of agape love? _________________________ _________________________

READ 2:24-27 - The Hope Within God, through John ‘s writing, does not leave us hopeless . . . even in today’s agnostic and atheistic society!

Within these verses are two “great and precious promises” providing strength and hope for the believer.

Promise #1 (verse 25) _________________________ Promise #2 (verse 27) _________________________ The key word in these verses is abide.

ABIDE verb (used without object), a•bode or a•bid•ed, a•bid•ing.

• to remain; continue; stay • to have one’s abode; dwell; reside The anointing refers to the Holy Spirit since it 1) was received from Jesus, 2) teaches you all things and 3) is true.( See John 16:5-15 (NKJV) It also refers to the truth of God’s Word—“which you have heard from the beginning” in verse 24.

I love the gently coaxing and encouraging words of verse 28: “And now, little children, ABIDE in Him . . . (so) that when He appears, WE MAY HAVE CONFIDENCE . . . ” How do these words encourage you today? _________________________

_________________________

READ I John 3,4 – Stirring Up Love!

“Behold . . . Stop . . . Take a Good Look! . . . Consider” Isn’t that an eye-catcher of an opening statement? What is it that we are to stop and consider so carefully in chapter 3, verse 1? _________________________ _________________________ Chapter 3:2 is just as exciting, as we are given yet another almost unfathomable promise: Because we ARE His children, “We shall be like Him, for we_________ __________________________ _________________!” WOW! Talk about hope!

READ chapter 3:4-23 John really gets down to the nittygritty of agape love: In verses 4-9 John re-affirms that the one who knows God and abides in Him DOES NOT PRACTICE__________________!

In verses 10-15 John asserts that if we love God, we must also love _________________________!

READ again chapter 3:16-24 In each of the following verses, describe one act of love that we as Christ-ones are to do. For each act, give an example of how you could carry this out in your day-to-day life: verse 16 ___________________ _________________________

verse 17 ___________________ __________________________ verse 18 ___________________ __________________________ verses 22-23 ________________ _________________________ verse 24: Do-able only through the strength of ________________ _________________________ READ 1 John 4 again.

Once we have tested (recognized, understood, rejected and overcome the “anti-Christ” spirits of this world (4:1-6): • We KNOW God’s Love. (verses7-11) Describe how this affects your life. _________________________ _________________________ • We SEE God through love and are SEEN by that love. How do verses 12-16 magnify your desire to love others? _________________________ _________________________ • His Love is perfected in us. Verses 17-19 describe the result of His love maturing in our lives. What do these verses say about your life, regarding fear, worry and the future? _________________________ _________________________ • We OBEY because of His love. In verses 20-21 John reiterates the outcome of mature agape love, and that is demonstrable love for _________________________ _________________________ “Lord, teach us so to love, and to STIR UP the world around us with the loving words and deeds of Jesus.” Amen. 

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BigStock.com

Irritable for a Reason “…you told me never to use words like that except in ex—extreme provocation, and Francis provocated me enough to knock his block off!”

To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee

by Morgan Wolf Morgan is a writer from Calgary. She blogs about her faith and writing at anothergratuitousmdash.blogspot. ca. Morgan has just published her book, Altruism in Gophers.

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Back in my high school days, I wrote a series of short articles that I titled The Irritants of Morg. It began as an email to a friend about something that I found provoking and snowballed into a semi-regular exercise of opining sardonically about my daily life. If I’d been more of a go-getter, I might have posted my

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witty teen narratives on a blog, but I wasn’t; and so only a few people were readers of my brief series. I had copious material to mine.

Being a teenager is a provoking time without many compass reference points to keep one steady as she goes. Emotions slosh around like water in a bathtub, ready to overwhelm the margins without much warning. Sarcasm seemed an innocuous coping mechanism in comparison to some of the other options the culture had on offer; and so I wrote out my irritants with what I fondly recall was humour and gusto while trying to develop some self-control.

Recently, I’ve been thinking of reviving the old series since being provoked is a regular feeling most days. But provoked to what?

Is irritation, dislike and dark humour enough of a response—or are these circumstances meant to draw forth something of the Kingdom of Heaven from me and drag it into the earth? . . . Since the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.” (Matthew 11:12 xxx) This is such a curious verse that doesn’t sit well with our 21st century sanitized Christianity that exults niceness. We Canadian Christians are even more flummoxed by the

idea. After all, being nice is a point of national pride. Yet as a result, we are in danger of being misled by our cultural expectations of what it looks like to demonstrate love, or what exactly constitutes the sort of good works that our faith enjoins us to undertake. As much as the circumstances of the last year or so have brought us all to the point of extreme irritation; what are we actually being provoked to? Is it just to be nicer and maybe more calm? No one argues with a nice, calm person. But the Kingdom of Heaven isn’t a yoga class. That “peace that passes understanding” can only surpass our understanding when the circumstances are anything but tranquil—otherwise we’re just having a nice day.

Lot was grieved daily by the sin of his culture and was rescued by angels from destruction.

Elisha was moved to prophesy a son for the Shunammite woman who was hospitable to him. David danced with abandon before the Lord when the presence of God returned to Jerusalem. Paul was so irritated by a spirit of divination in a slave girl that he cast out the demon and was imprisoned and whipped for his trouble. All of them—and more—were provoked to action by their response to the circumstances at hand.

These are provoking times for

These are provoking times for a reason.

a reason. None of us can afford to avoid asking God the question of what exactly we are being provoked to do. Is it going out alone to kill the giant who mocks God? Is it blessing someone in their barrenness? Is it delivering those bound in spiritual darkness? Is it preaching to those who don’t want to hear?

Because it just might be that those irritants that provoke us to action are divinely orchestrated, inciting incidents meant to usher in the Kingdom of Heaven. 

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Stirred Up Connecting with God in everyday life God is with us The Gospel is the good news that God is with us.

Through Jesus, God’s Son, we have the opportunity to walk with God, our Father, in our everyday life. We’re invited to share our lives with God and have Him share life with us. We don’t have to go to a special place or become better versions of ourselves to find God. He is already here, wanting to share His life and love with us. What does an everyday relationship with God look like in real life?

It seems obvious to say that God, Creator of the universe, is wildly creative. He communicates and connects with us in many different ways. Some of the most common are: • Scripture • His still, small voice • pictures or visions • circumstances • other people • nature • worship • prayer • an inner knowing or impression • dreams.

We need discernment What does your everyday relationship with God look like? How does He connect with you? What do you think it could look like? Take a moment to ask God about it.

Living a life in daily relationship with God requires discernment. A simple way to test whether God is the One guiding us is to look at the result of our experience with Him: Does our relationship with God lead to an inner and outer life of love, joy, peace, patience,

by Kathy Gust Kathy is a spiritual director and led a workshop on different types of prayer at our 2020 Women’s Conference.

You’ll find the video on Baptist Women’s YouTube channel 20 live • July - August 2021

StoryBlocks.com

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kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control? Do our interactions with God lead to a greater measure of love for God, others and ourselves?

If yes, we can be encouraged that we are following God’s Spirit —the Holy Spirit. If the answer is no, we need to take a closer look at our spiritual life and see where our perspective, understanding or will are out of alignment with the way of Jesus.

How can we practice hearing and noticing God more in our everyday lives? Some of the most powerful tools we have are so obvious they’re often overlooked.

The first of these is asking God for help. The second is fostering the ability to be present.

Actively asking God to help Where are you in your relationship with God? Would you like to be more aware of His presence, love,

peace? Have you noticed a place in your life where God seems to be absent? Are you feeling stuck?

Ask God for help and then watch for Him to respond. Once He responds, it is again your turn . . . will you accept His grace or invitation or truth or whatever it is that He’s highlighting to you?

Fostering the ability to be present God can only meet us in the present moment. We can look back and realize where He met us in the past and look forward in hope about where He might meet us in the future, but if we want to commune with Him, it must be in the present. Moreover, we must meet Him where we are and not where we’d like to be.

When we find parts of ourselves living outside of faith, hope and love (for example in doubt, unforgiveness, discouragement,

Practice: The Examen In our busy lives it’s easy to miss God’s often subtle presence. The examen is a spiritual practice that can increase our awareness of God. It creates space for us to look back at the end of the day and recognize, savour and respond to God’s movement in our lives.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Remember that God is with you.

Invite God’s Spirit to pray with you as you review your day with Him. Ask: “How was God present in my day?”

Consider: “What is my response to God’s presence?”

Notice any questions, feelings or thoughts that come as you review.

Talk with God about whatever is being stirred in you.

6. Ask God for what you need for tomorrow.

7. End with an “Amen.”

Consider practicing the examen regularly for two weeks and notice any impact it has. Whatever its impact, talk to God about it.

bitterness . . . ) we need courage and trust to invite God to meet us where we are. It takes vulnerability to allow God to come into these tender or dark places. We are often afraid that we’ll be judged harshly. The good news is that as we allow Jesus to come in, we find He comes with compassion, gently shining His light. Kindly and respectfully, God leads us along the path of freedom and life.

Of course there are many other practices that help to strengthen our ability to hear and notice God. Reading the Scriptures, prayer, and Christian community are classic ways. Journalling is helpful.

Humility is key. A fun practice if you’re feeling brave is to get together with trusted friends and try to hear God’s message of encouragement for one another. Hearing and noticing God in our everyday life is a skill that matures and grows through practice. As with anything, we’ll learn from our failures as well as our success.

God is with us! He invites you to walk with Him; to share your life and love with Him and have Him share life and love with you. How will you respond?

If it is yes, pray and ask Him to help you become more aware and attentive to His presence. Ask for discernment, courage, faith and love. If your response is no or maybe later or I don’t believe this kind of life could be real, share that with God. Remember that wherever you are, God desires to meet you there.  live • July - August 2021

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Stirred Up to Rest Daring to trust in Jesus

On my travels, I developed a fascination with chairs found in unexpected places. A paint chipped stool outside a workshop. A velvetbacked seat at the edge of an apartment block. A child’s plastic chair enclosed inside a wire fence. All of these chairs seemed to beckon rest, right in the middle of life.

I’ve been thinking a lot about these chairs and about church life. Do our churches likewise offer ample places of rest, dotted in daily places?

What’s more, do we offer ample encouragement for people to take a seat and rest a while?

When I was in seminary, one course admonished students to build in regular times of drawing near to God. This was a rather foreign concept.

After accepting Jesus as a child, the loudest instruction I heard was to find a place to serve in the church, not to carve out a rhythm of rest and activity with God. From the start, I was taught to bear fruit for Christ.

As a doer, this is not hard at all. There are many activities to fill my time—leading a small group, volunteering at the local drop-in centre, even attending multiple prayer meetings each week. Regular calls would be made from the pulpit to serve in Sunday school, at a hospital outreach, at the summer camp. Active participation is the norm in church life.

As a result, when I listen to God’s quieter voice asking me to sit still with Him, I in fact cannot sit very still! My fretful mind questions why I should be taking a break when the to-do list lays frightfully undone.

Rest is, at best, a reward for hard work done, and at worst, it feels like wrongdoing.

In contrast, in a busy scene where the disciples were so inundated with the needs of the crowd that they didn’t even get to eat, Jesus doesn’t

by Victoria Mok Victoria is in the midst of learning the art of slowing down. She worships at Mississauga Chinese Baptist Church.

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Chairs on Victoria’s travels Top: Sai Kung, Hong Kong Middle: Coloane, Macau Bottom: Taipa, Macau Photo credit: Victoria Mok

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give a pep talk to encourage them to get it all done.

Jesus’ exact words in Mark 6:31 are, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” It must have taken a certain audacity to pull away from the crowds to go to a solitary place, saying no to the needs and taking rest for themselves. For Jesus, rest is a priority in busyness; not just a treat for a job well done.

After years of a rhythm of serving with little rest, I noticed my heart resenting all the activity and thirsting to slow down. But as tired as I was, I still found rest a struggle in face of all the undone tasks. I’ve come to realize that this is a result of being discipled to serve . . . but not to be still. I’ve learned to trust in my work more than in my Lord. This is something from which

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WE REMEMBER

Each generation has the opportunity to fuel mission for the next. We are thankful for the following gifts:

In Memory of Marilyn Benner, Aylmer Irma Daymon, Toronto Muriel Harrington, Brantford Mary Howey, Ingersoll Linda Mossey, Aylmer IN HONOUR OF Abby Davidson, Toronto Elsie Johns, Sault Ste. Marie (101st birthday in July) Virginia Travis, Port Stanley (85th birthday)

so many of us need to be un-discipled. I fear that if we don’t change course, we will continue to make disciples who run themselves to the ground, rather than ones who balance activity and rest well. I fear most of all that I would not last in this fight of faith if I continue on in the same way.

To all, like me, who are tired and heavy-laden: Jesus will give us rest (Matthew 11:28). He reminds us to prioritize rest in midst of our hectic lives. Kingdom rest is audacious because it asks us to trust that the fruit of our work comes ultimately from Him, and not in our efforts alone.

Jesus has set out two chairs in the middle of your life: one for Him and one for you. Take a seat, rest in His presence, and watch your trust in Him grow. 

Bernice’s Picks . . .

EVEN NOW CD by Rachelle Luk $10 • CBOQ Assembly 2021 Worship Leader • Winner of 2 Gospel Music Association Covenant Awards • CD includes new worship songs ReadOn Bookstore is open online.

Order online, call or email.

All titles available from ReadOn Bookstore 5 International Blvd.

Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 Tel: 416-620-2934 Fax: 416-234-8840 E-mail: books@readon.ca readon.ca

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My Rendezvous with God I have a rendezvous with God. At earliest morning, in the splendor of a new day’s dawn, He waits for me; He waits to give me strength, and courage, and zest for life.

At noontide heat He waits for me; In careless faces, harassed eyes He waits for me to speak the word of comfort and of cheer and give my faith to those whose hope is lost.

At evening, in the calm, majestic silence of the stars, He waits for me; He waits to speak forgiveness to my soul, and in His stillness give me rest within the shelter of His love.

All through each day He waits.

Let me not fail my rendezvous with God. Holly Priest March 1953 | Link & Visitor How we connect with each other has had to change, but live magazine keeps our bonds lively and strong. Let a woman in your community know about live magazine. A subscription costs just $20. Pay at baptistwomen.com or call the editor, Renée James. Choose from three formats: print, audio (CD) or online.

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