Bad things happen to good people. We see it on the news, random acts of violence. We see it with our neighbors when sickness visits their homes. And we feel it most acutely when tragedy hits close to home and we see family members suffer for no apparent reason. Maybe you are feeling some pain now because of some injustice done to you, or some life threatening illness is pounding at your door, or financial strain is pushing you to the limit. Unexpected hardship comes to each of us. And it may be for no apparent reason. This is hard to take. Unfortunately Christmas and all its fanfare doesn’t make it easier either.
How does one deal with the counteraction of bad things happening to good people. Our own sense of justice is that bad things should happen to bad people. This may in fact happen, but where we have trouble is when bad things happen to us or others we love for no obvious reason. Here is where it gets interesting.
The bad thing that happens naturally makes us feel terrible. But the length and breadth of the “terrible feeling” has nothing do with the original incident but the attitude to which we assign to it. The bad thing that happened whether it is our fault or not, need not define us for the rest of our life. We can move on. This is the promise of the Holy Scriptures. Jesus says, I have come to give you life; not just ordinary life but living that is full and abundant. He did not promise a life void of problems, but he did promise the ability to deal with any situation that comes our way.
In order for me to do this, I have to make some attitude shifts in my life.
1. Life is better when I don’t take everything personal. I need to remember that everyone has a story and maybe the person that treated me badly, is even worse off than me.
2. Life is better when I forgive. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you approve or legitimize the bad thing that has happened, it simply means you will not internalize it, carry it, hold on to it, but let it go. It is a choice not an emotion. Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person will die.
3. Life is better when I am grateful for what I have. This too requires an act of our will. Especially when the bad thing happens at special times of the year. Holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries can be especially hard. Life is better though, when we take a look around and begin to count our blessings for the things we do have. This requires us not to focus on the bad things, but to see and choose to appreciate the good things that are still around us.
4. Lastly, life is better when I live beyond myself. Bad things that happened to us have the ability to consume us. If we choose to continue (or begin as it may be for some of us) to do something nice for others, volunteer for some community program, clean the house, do the dishes, or even something as simple as making the bed will have a profound effect on your own disposition.
This Sunday, we will be baptizing five candidates. This means that five people are choosing to put their past behind them and follow Jesus. Baptism is a onetime act, but then it requires of us to put our past behind us every day thereafter. This could have been point five, but actually it is implied in the above four points.
We will also be recognizing three new members to our KCF family.
This Sunday will be an exciting time of witnessing people joining the Body of Christ through baptism and joining the church through membership.
We look forward to you seeing you all this Sunday.
Share Housing Initiative – Call for Members
There is a long standing need for affordable one bedroom apartments in Nelson. There has been much talk over the years of this necessity for community health and well-being. Employers have no place for their staff to live. College students camping in their cars while attending class. Individuals living in less than safe, overpriced, cramped conditions simply because there is no place for them to go.
We, at Kootenay Christian Fellowship, wanted to do something about this. We formed a new Society called SHARE Housing Initiative Society to address this most basic need in our community.
The SHARE Housing Initiative Society is having its FIRST AGM Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. This is a KCF Initiative. We need to ensure that we have four KCF Members on the Board at all times, which we currently have. We have put a call out to the general public for members to join the society; however, as this is a KCF Initiative, it is really important that we have KCF representation in the membership. Remember, if you aren’t a member, you can’t vote on important decisions regarding this project. There is no cost (this year) to membership. Under our bylaws you have to apply for membership and be a member for 30 days to be able to vote at the AGM. The Board must accept your application.
Accordingly, if you would like to be a member, please email office@kcfoffice.com. I will add you to the list for our January Board meeting and get you added as a member. We will then remind you of the meeting by sending an agenda to you.
We have accomplished a great deal so far. We expect to have even better news by February, so please take the time to get involved now.
Thank you in advance for coming on board to help create affordable low cost rental apartments in Nelson.
Look forward to hearing from you.
S.H.A.R.E. Nelson
S.H.A.R.E. is accepting and receiving donations and new items are being put out for sale every day. Come down and support the poor. If you would like to volunteer at S.H.A.R.E. we currently have great ministry opportunities. Call the store at 250.352.1222 or stop by the store to inquire. Click on this link to check out S.H.A.R.E.’s video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aZX9v7gxdM
Calendar of Events
Visit our website at http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com for all the news, sermons, and places to donate.
Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday.
Pastor Jim
December 17, 2017
E-transfers to office@kcfoffice.com
Kootenay Christian Fellowship520 Falls Street (1/2 Block up from Baker Street)Nelson, BC V1L 6B5