The Sights & Sounds of Christmas

An evening (for ladies) focused on preparing our hearts for Christmas amid all the hustle & bustle. Come join us at StoneRidge Fellowship church, for food demos, Christmas carols, and emphasis on the Christ in Christmas. Friday, November 26, 7:00pm. Cost: FREE!

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HOME...

This country, that many of us call HOME... this Canada of ours... really is an amazing, amazing place.

Maybe it is anticipating Remembrance Day. Or maybe it is because I flew over the Praries yesterday and began thinking about the years I lived in Saskatchewan.

I don't know.

But, I'm feeling nostalgic.

I took a Gondola Ride up a mountain today. And of course I could not help but consider the vast geographical differences from one coast of Canada to the other as I skimmed the tops of 40 foot trees.

These mountains... these amazing Rocky Mountains!

Maybe, just maybe, what I am feeling is... worshipful.

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In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, 3 May 1915.

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Blessings in Disguise...

I'm taking a personal, finance management class. Two weeks in on a 13 week course.

The first "baby step" all participants have been encouraged to carry out is to establish a $1000 EMERGENCY fund.

Last week my car was in the garage. And let's just say that the bill came pretty close to eating up my EMERGENCY fund in a manner that is quicker than a child eating up their Halloween treats. Or should I say, in a manner quicker than a... parent eating up their child's Halloween treats?

But...
the blessing is that there is even a car to fix - right?
the blessing is that there was an EMERGENCY fund - right?

This morning I was on my way to an appointment.
As I was driving along I thought, "My goodness, I must have the car in neutral... but if so - how did I get this far?"

Nope, not in neutral.

"Oh my, the car is going to... it's... just... going... to... stop... Whaaaaaaaaaaat?"

Chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chugX4000.

Miss the appointment and head to the garage.
"Sure, Lisa - you can leave it with us however, we don't have an opening for another week."

But...
the blessing is that I head out of town on Monday - right?
the blessing is that there was no car accident - right?
the blessing is having a sister who rescues me all the time. Fact.
the blessing is that I fully, 1000%, understand the wisdom in having an EMERGENCY fund - right?

Life.

And, EMERGENCY funds!

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The Power of a Woman's Words

Our study this fall is The Power of a Woman's Words by Sharon Jaynes. Our words have power and sustainability. Our words linger in the hearts and minds of those who hear them longer then the seconds it took to speak them. I have always struggled with saying things to make a joke or a quick come back and seldome think of the consequences of those words. The past two years a friend and I have both agreed that our tongues need to be tamed. In a recent sermon series in James, I learned that I can only learn to tame my tongue with help from the Holy Spirit and by practice.

One area I feel that I can use my words for good is to encourage others.
Encouragement is free but it is priceless to the one who needs it most. I don't mean fluffy encouragement. I mean true genuine encouragement to everyone in your sphere of influence. Starting with family and friends and spreading it to neighbors, teachers, strangers, leaders...the list can go on and on. God's word is the greatest gift of encouragement. Take some time this week and encourage someone!

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What would you do without...

friends?

If we say that sentence over and over again and place verbal emphasis on a different word each time, the shock of the question hits us in a slightly different way each time we repeat it.

Try it. Say it, out loud, six times. Putting emphasis on a different.

What would you do without friends?
What would you do without friends?
What would you do without friends?
What would you do without friends?
What would you do without friends?
What woudl you do without friends?

Can you hear the difference?

While the shock of the question hits us differently each time (depending on which word we emphasize), if you are like me, the same sense of panic strkes in my heart of hearts each time I say it.

It's more than a bit fearful to consider a period of time (days, weeks, months, years) without friends, and down right paralizing to consider a lifetime without friends.

Different friends meet different needs in our lives. It's true.
It's almost like God knew we would need that.

Almost... what a hoot!

Our Creator, God, knew exactly what we would need. Friendship, being one.

Take a minute today and tell a friend how much they mean to you.
Remember, friends are not disposable. Nor are they guaranteed.

They are, however, a gift.

I'm playing make-up makeover with one of my friends, today.
Can hardly wait.

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Grace and Salt ...

Wednesday.

"Halfway to the weekend" day.

"W2W" day (women 2 women).

"Community Care" day.

"The Power of a Woman's Words" by Sharon Jaynes, day.


I'm currently studying that book, with a group of, roughly, 100 other women.
Last week's chapter discussed the power of a woman's words to... the world. What could we really do for the world and through the people of world if we were 100% conscious of our words - with everyone we met.

E V E R Y O N E.

Our words can be encouraging, or not. Positive or not. Rude or not. True or not.

And,
no
matter
what
we
say
we affect our world. Because our words affect the people in our world. And those people affect other people and so on and so on and so on (remind you of a shampoo commercial from days gone by?)

The effect our words can have is, really, rather staggering.

Check out Colossians 4:6 with me.
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

This verse is discussing opportunities we have to share about God's love, specifically. However, I believe if we uncover it a wee bit more, there is potential for a much broader application.

"...so that you may know how to answer everyone."
That is HUGE. Who wouldn't want to know how to answer everyone?

The right answers can literally be on the tip of our tongues IF we "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt..."

There it is. Grace and Salt.
Grace means not being treated in a way that the deepest, darkest, ugliest parts of us deserve. Salt does three things - it flavors, heals, and preserves.

Have you caught the broader application?
It's not just about WHAT answer we give. It's also about HOW we answer everyone.

Can you imagine what our world would be like if we answered everyone with grace and salt?

You and I chat with many people. And we enjoy giving good advice, helpful advice, right advice. The Bible says that if we are full of grace and seasoned with salt, we will know how to answer everyone. What we say will be spoken out of love and will be purposed to heal, flavor or preserve.

Oh, that this would permeate my very being.

Grace and salt.
Grace and salt.
Grace and salt.

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Polish up your rake...

On Nov 13th a group of StoneRidge Fellowship peeps and their friends are going to pile into a bus, and hopefully, many cars as well, and head off to different neighbourhoods in the Sackville area.

If home owners will allow us, we plan to rake up their leaves, leave them by the curb for pick-up and be on our way to yard number 2 and then number 3 and then number 4 and so on.

Doesn't that sound like fun?

Piles of leaves, laughing children, people excited to care for their neighbours and a community that is touched by "many hands making light work".

It's still a couple weeks away.
I'm already wondering how many families will blessed by this small act of kindness. Aren't you?
I'm already curious to know how many families will take the offer to attend our Christmas Drama: This Very Night. Aren't you?

Fun times are definately awaiting anyone who joins the the Rake Crew.
A surprise along with some VIP seating are awaiting our community.

What will be the outcome?
The possibilities are endless, absolutely endless! Which only adds to the fun of this kind of adventure.

Go polish up your rake.
Anyone can join. Absolutely anyone. That means Y... O... U.

Sat, Nov 13
8:30 AM - Noon
Meet at 85 Temple Terrace, Sackville
Bring: a rake, warm cloths, drink of water for yourself

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