Giving, living and loving

By Gord Armstrong
RR Ministerial

Romans 12:1 says.” Therefore I urges you brothers, in view of God’s Mercy, to offer your body as living sacrifices, Holly and pleasing to God - This is your spiritual act of Worship.
What makes a Community a Giving, Living, Loving Community? Is it not the effort we put into our service for our community— On May 22nd many people came to the park: They raked’ pulled grass, hauled logs, cut grass, etc. etc. Why? They wanted make “our” park a more pleasant place to visit and play in. This was not their job or their duty, it was for love of community. They gave of their time and energy in a Giving, Living, Loving attitude.
In the last Sheperd’s Staff, Rev. Barbara wrote of the Holy Spirit ushering in change. As a example of that I’d like us to think of the Apostle Peter: Peter was a common man, probably not well educated, but, After the Holy Spirit ascended on the believers (Acts 2:1-4) Peter became a dynamic Speaker. He gave such a tremendous message that 3,000 people were added to the faith that day. One should never underestimate the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
This brings us to a question: Do YOU believe in the Holy Spirit? Do you believe the Holy Spirit is involved in our every day life? If not- Why not ? In the Gospel of John we read these words: John 14: i6 & 17a ... “And I will ask the Father and He will give you another counsellor, The Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Yes our community is in need of change- Change in the way we react to one another, change in the way we treat our neighbours and friends- Change in the way we do business!
JESUS said: Greater Love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. THINK of what our community could be if we were to adopt such an idea? It would indeed be a GIVING, LIVING, LOVING community, trying to help each other in every way possible. I’d like to close by repeating Rev. Barbara Last Line “ Come Holy Spirit Come, Bring new life and new hope to us as individuals and as a community”
Have a Godly and spirit filled week.