Today's Scriptures

Here are some Scriptures I was thinking about today:

The sinful mind is hostile to G-d. It does not submit to G-d's law, nor can it do so.
- Romans 8:7

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of G-d rather than burnt offerings.
- Hosea 6:6

So we make it out goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
- 2 Cor. 5:9

Another Loss

This afternoon, I discovered the shocking and saddening news that a young lady I knew passed away last weekend. Her name was Lisa, and she was a server at the Second Cup in my neighbourhood, where I spend a lot of time. She hasn't worked there for a while, but I always remembered her bright smile, sense of humour, and colourful dreadlocks. She was only twenty. A tragedy for a life to be cut so short like that. Definitely, I am sending some prayers up for her family and friends.

Environmental Stewardship

I made a decision this week to stop buying bottled water. The plastic, the waste of money on a resource that should be freely available, and the inherent wrong of paying for something that should be a universal human right finally got to me. So I purchased a metal water bottle, and have been happily refilling it. I feel it is right to reduce my carbon footprint as much as I can, and keep my wallet filled up at the same time! I've written before about how it is our responsibility as Believers to protect the Earth, in which our Father put us in charge. If drinking out of a refillable drink container helps achieve that goal, the Amen.

Some Scriptures for today:
Worship the L-rd with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.
- Psalm 100:2

G-d is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.
- Hebrews 6:10

Scripture

Here are some Scriptures I was thinking about today.

Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

1 John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.

Col. 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the L-rd, not for men.

Life is Precious

Life is precious, fragile, and temporary. We never know when we will pass from this life into the next. I got a sobering reminder of this a few days ago, when I found out that a local youth leader lost his life in a vehicle accident over the weekend, leaving behind two small children and a pregnant wife. I went to junior high and high school with this person. Although I did not know him personally (he was a grade or two below me), I knew who he was, and it was a saddening shock to learn of the death of such a young man offering so much to the youth with whom he worked. I've been spending some time in prayer for his family, and spending time giving deep thought to life and its meaning. I keep coming back to the same conclusions: without faith, without G-d, there is no hope.

Musical Adventures and The Power of Prayer

G-d never ceases to amaze me with His ever-presence, His glory, and His faithfulness. Over the past few weeks I have taken part in various community and social activities, such as an inner city neighbourhood clean up. I did everything from photographing (my main job there) to actually going out on a truck and helping collect garbage. I even drove the truck -- just about a metre or so, but hey, I drove it!

I took part in a protest at the Legislature concerning the oil companies and their disregard for the environment. A friend wrote a song for the small direct action, which involved dumping a lot of plastic ducks into the wading pool. Only two small problems -- he was not confident singing, and he doesn;t play an instrument. So I was recruited. And I got right into it -- literally. I rolled up my pants and played the song in the pool, along with the ducks that had all keeled over on their sides (quite appropriate since the action concerned the deaths of 500 ducks at a tailings pond). A huge photo of me appeared in the local newspaper the next day, wet pants, guitar, and everything.

Then, I got a last minute music gig at a local coffee shop. My first solo set of longer than two songs, and a professional gig as well. I played for a half hour. The crowd was not that big -- mostly the other musicians on the bill and a few of my friends, plus some people who had just wandered in, but it was a great experience.

The next morning, I played at a downtown music and art festival. Being a church musician, I am used to playing in the morning, but not after playing another gig the night before. I was part of a songwriter's circle. There were four of us, and one of the other women was someone who attended my congregation for a number of years. I never heard her perform before, so it was a real treat -- she was wonderful, as were all of the other musicians.

The festival was an outdoor event, and it was raining hard with dark skies and thunder that morning. I prayed to HaShem for good weather, as I had been all week. But the rain would not relent. I became satisifed that whatever was meant to happen was happening. Then, as I arrived at the park, the sun came out. Even one of the organizers said I must have brought it with me. But I didn't. He did. And although the skies did threaten at times, there was no more rain and the event was a success. Amen and amen!