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FAITH STORIES

        As they become available, we will share our faith stories with you.  It is important that we all take part in sharing our faith journey with others so that it will encourage others to grow in faith.
 

Hands! 

A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Steve Nash’s hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it’s in.

A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Albert Pujols’ hands is worth $19 million.
It depends whose hands it’s in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Roger Federer’s hands is a championship win.
It depends whose hands it’s in.

A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal.
A rod in Moses’ hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it’s in.

A sling shot in my hands is a kid’s toy.
A sling shot in David’s hand is a mighty weapon.

It depends whose hands it’s in.

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands

Is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God’s hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands they’re in.

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ’s hands will
produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands they’re in.

As you see now it depends whose hands it’s in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams,
your families and your relationships in God’s hands because ...
It depends whose hands they’re in.

This message is now in YOUR hands.
What will YOU do with it?
It depends on whose hands it’s in!!

(author unknown)

An Amazing Journey of Faith    

by Ana Watts

With humour, honesty and humility, with some Hs where they didn’t belong and a few Hs missing from places where they did belong, the Rev. Ellen Curtis took ACW members gathered for their diocesan annual meeting on an amazing journey of faith.

As special guest speaker on the second day of the ACW Annual Meeting at Christ Church (Parish) Church, Fredericton in early May, Ellen acknowledged the important role the ACW played in her life. “I am honoured to give back anything I can,” she said just before she confessed she thought she had been invited to speak to a deanery meeting before about 20 women.

“Then I talked to Mary last week and she says ‘Oh no dear, it’s a diocesan event and there may be over 150 women present.’ Well, I thought I might faint, so I have to ask you to go gentle with me.”

In the next breath she confessed to being a proud Newfie with a sense of humour she hoped her audience would grow to appreciate.

They did. Ellen’s comic relief was perfectly timed to punctuate a story with its share of struggle and loss.

Ellen called herself a strange child because even though she was hyper active and had to be continually reminded to keep still in church, she actually liked church and Sunday school. Her first realization of God’s awesome power, however, came when she was about six years old. She stowed away on her grandfather’s fishing boat one foggy morning. By the time her father and grandfather found her, it was too late to turn back, so she went to the bow of the boat “Just like the girl in the movie Titanic,” the wind and spray in her face and dolphins racing and jumping along side.

Later, when the fog lifted and the sun shone through, they made for a small, sung harbour protected by high cliffs. It also had a small waterfall that tumbled down into the sea.

“My father filled a kettle with water from the waterfall. We gathered driftwood, started a fire and sat on the beach. We made tea and roasted kippers and bologna over the open fire. We had homemade bread and butter and dried apricots for dessert.”

The watched the capelin come in on the tide then were stunned to see two massive whales that had been chasing the silver fish come straight out of the water.

“All 30 feet of them, straight up,” said Ellen.

“We sat there, my grandfather, father and I, and watched two magnificent creatures of God put on the greatest show on earth … that day on the beach I rejoiced as I saw God’s awesome power displayed.”

That day she also became hooked on the sea. As a young woman she joined the commercial fishery. “I believe I was responsible for the addition of the word ‘fisherperson’ to the Newfoundland dictionary.” She also became involved in the politics of the fishery and as chair of the union she fought for cutbacks to the offshore fishing quotas. She then went on to become a Canadian Fisheries Observer, enforcing fisheries law and doing surveillance work on domestic and foreign vessels within Canada’s 200 mile limit.

“God always gave me the strength and courage I needed to do all that I could to protect my beloved ocean.”

On the day of her Confirmation she knew she would devote her life to God, but she was uncertain how to do it. “Women weren’t ministers at that time. I thought I could become a nun, but when I became a teenager … well, let’s just say it lost its appeal.”

Ellen married young, had three daughters and was active in her church. “I did everything from joining the choir, the ACW, vestry, the parish council, but it was never enough and I always felt God calling me to do more. He constantly nagged me. Nag, nag, nag.”

At an ACW deanery meeting a guest speaker named Sandra shared her faith story and told them of the obstacles she had had to overcome to be ordained a priest. “It was at that ACW meeting that I finally understood what God was nagging me about. God’s constant nagging was a calling.”

With three children to raise, it was a call she couldn’t fully answer. She became a layreader and then a lay minister in an effort to silence the nagging, but it would not be silenced. “I just kept saying again and again, ‘Sorry Lord, not yet.’”

The collapse of the fishery in Newfoundland forced Ellen and her family to pack their few belongings and their 17-month-old granddaughter in the car and head for Toronto in search of employment. They found more than they bargained for. The baby became sick and nearly died. It made them realize that the loss of their home and material possessions in Newfoundland was no loss at all in comparison.

Ellen’s mother lost a leg to diabetes. Her husband was severely injured in an accident, he went on to suffer chronic pain which led to other problems. Eventually they divorced. Ellen fell ill herself and nearly died.

“I was a cradle Anglican and a Christian my whole life, doing all I could for God, and now for the first time I said ‘Why God? Why are you doing this to me?’ I was sick and I was alone, for I had abandoned God and I was about to lose everything again, including my car and my apartment and I was about to give up.”

Instead, she fell on her knees, asked forgiveness and surrendered her life to Christ.

“I was such a stubborn and independent woman that this was the hardest thing I had ever done … that day was the most glorious of my entire life and one for which I will forever be thankful. I had taken 10 thousand steps away from God, but it only took one step back to find him waiting there for me.”

God continued to nag her, though, and she continued to say, “Lord, I am not ready yet. Then one day I swear I heard him say ‘Well honey, if not now, when? You’re not getting any younger you know.’”

She got the message.

She worked, maintained a family, studied and eventually was accepted at Wycliffe College in Toronto. Before she could begin her studies there, however, she needed a bishop to sponsor her. The diocese of Toronto didn’t need any more priests. She heard Saskatchewan and New Brunswick needed priests. She chose New Brunswick because it has the sea. Bishop Bill Hocking then chose her.

The courses were difficult and the reading pace was brutal, especially for a 46-year-old woman who found it as difficult to focus on one thing for any length of time as an adult, just as she found it difficult as a child.

“Then there was the language barrier,” said Ellen, and it had nothing to do with her ‘Newfie accent.’ “Everyone talked in theological terms that sounded like another language. Often after listening to a guest speaker talk for more than an hour I would turn to my friend and say ‘What did he just say?’”

Then there were the theological books. “They can be quite dry and boring, but you didn’t hear me say that,” said Ellen with a chuckle. “Sometimes I would pray ‘Please God, if there is anything you really want me to know in this book, the please make it jump out of the page and hit me over the head …’”

He must have complied, because Ellen maintained a solid B+ average. She was ordained a deacon when she came to this diocese and spent a year as assistant curate in Sussex. She was priested last year and appointed to the parishes of The Tobique and Denmark. The appointment is a pilot project of the developing diocesan Shared Ministry Plan. With five active churches in the two parishes, it is well suited to a self-confessed hyper-active person.”

Ellen finished her message to the ACW with a bit of advice. “Don’t let anything get in the way of your dreams, there are many ways you can serve our God … live in love as Christ loved us and obey God’s two greatest commandments, love God and love one another. And above all, never give up hope … if we have God, we have it all.”

 

Diocesan Communications
08 May 2007

Diocese of Fredericton

 

          In an article in a previous issue of News 'n' Things (our Parish newsletter), I read these words: "Many people desire to taste and see that the Lord is good " (Psalm 34:8) and head off to church for a glimpse of the transcendent.  Too often they leave disappointed when they discover that the busyness of our services mirrors the clutter of our culture.  Too often we neglect to seek the Lord in stillness."

        I am reminded of an advertisement on TV.  A little boy runs about the house trying to avoid his mother who carries in her hand a bottle of cough medicine.  Backed into a corner and finally becoming still, he opens his mouth and accepts the medicine.  The look on his face, once he has tasted it, is one of delight.  I'm sure he was thinking, "Why did I run?  This tastes good!"

        Are we like that with God?  Do we run away?  Do we believe completely in His goodness?  Or are we hesitant?  Or are we quiet and ready to listen to His still small voice?  In this day and age, we are bombarded with noise of all kinds—loud music, household appliances, traffic, TV, and radio.  What a treat it is to find a quiet corner and read or just think.  It is often in these times that God speaks to us—a still small voice.  "Be still and know that I am God."  We need time to meditate, pray, and listen to God . . . away from the bustle of life.  There are places in our church services where, in the silence, we can be quiet and just think of God.  We don't have to be busy all the time as we worship.  Silence is needed so we can listen to what God is saying to us personally.  "Taste and see that the Lord is good."

        I don't remember my first "taste."  Growing up in a Christian home, church was always part of my life.  I do remember, after my confirmation, coming back to the pew with tears in my eyes.  Often now, I still do, as I receive the bread and wine, God's body and blood, at the Altar.

        Have good things always happened to me?  Far from it.  Sometimes, it is in the worst of times of life that we really taste how good God is as we learn to really rely on His strength.  He can bless us through adversity.

        One of the worst times of my life was a severe clinical depression that lasted nearly four years.  It was like a deep, dark tunnel from which I could not escape.  I felt so worthless.  God felt far away.  But, looking back, I can see that He was with me even if I didn't recognize Him.  Others supported me in my struggle—a loving, caring husband who was there, not only for me, but for our five children—a fellow teacher who took me to the hospital after an overdose of pills—wonderful clergy and clergy wives who did much to help me out of the tunnel of despair.  They were used by God.  Like the ill man who was let down through the roof of the house after the tiles were removed and placed in front of Jesus for healing, so my friends and family carried me.  I couldn't do it by myself.  The ill man couldn't do it either, but his friends could do it for him.  And he was made well, took up his bed, and walked (Mark 2:4).  My healing was like that.  I gave up my medications and told the doctor they were no longer needed.  This kind man said he would never dispute the power of prayer.

        What have I learned from this healing and my daily walk with God?  I realize that God is in control of my life, not me.  God is good and can bring blessings out of adversities.  I'm more sensitive to the needs of others, a better listener.  We need others.  Sometimes we entertain angels unaware (Hebrews 13:2).  When our son died, God was there in our grief through the love of others.  One lesson I'm still struggling with is to love myself.  I know that God loves me, but a doubt of my own self-worth is a problem I'm still working on, with God's help.

        So I am still learning, still "tasting."  So don't run away from God, like the little boy from the medicine.  Taste for yourself and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man (woman) that trusteth in Him (Psalm 34:8) because the more you trust His goodness, the more you will trust Him.  Listen to God's still, small voice.

        This is my faith story (briefly).  If you would share yours with others, you will help someone else along the path.  You may be the answer to a fellow traveller's need.  God has asked us to encourage each other.  Please consider sharing.  God will be with you.

Since Jesus Came Into My Heart . . .
 Submitted by Patti Hoyt
    What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart!  Well, I didn't know that Jesus was with me my most of my life.  Now I find it hard to believe that I went through so much of my life not knowing that Jesus was with me every day, wherever I was, and through every situation.

    I was brought up in a Christian home, attended church off and on throughout all my life.  I was more than a Christmas and Easter Anglican, but I certainly didn't go to church any where near as often as I do now.  I went reluctantly to Sunday School most of the time, but I don't think that I went with any regularity.  I can just remember trying to get out of going!  I remember being confirmed, but really . . . I didn't have any idea what it was all about.  My last year of high school was at Edgehill School for Girls in Windsor, Nova Scotia, an Anglican school for girls.  There we had to attend church every Sunday or else!  Rather than attend the service at the school, my friend and I walked down the street to the Anglican Church for the morning service, and I even remember singing in the choir there . . . must have been for a special service though.  Even with all of this exposure to the Anglican tradition, I knew nothing of the presence of Jesus or the Holy Spirit in my life.
 

    I met Ron, married, we had three sons, and survived parenting!  Ron has been a great inspiration in my life.  Now there is a man with faith.  Ron certainly knew Jesus was with him all the way.  He'd mention little things almost every day that came from God, and he was always a faithful Bible reader.  I still remained skeptical.

    Have you ever experienced difficulties in your life?  Not know how to handle a situation? Wanting to give up and walk away from the whole problem?  I am sure each of us have had our share of problems or been in situations that we wished we could have the fairy godmother wave her magic wand and fix everything up for us.  I can remember a situation in my life that was beyond my control . . . I didn't know how to handle the situation at all . . . I felt as if I was alone . . . no one else was going through what I was going through—or so I thought.  I fretted.  I was anxious.  I worried.  I was getting depressed.  I was ready to give up.

    I finally went to my priest and explained my problem . . . and he said, "Did you try prayer?"  What else would you expect for a priest, eh?  Well, I was surprised . . . I had never thought about that.  What good would that do anyway?  Then I thought . . . well, why not?  What have I got to lose.  So I started to include prayer in my daily life.  He gave me other suggestions to help me out as well, but I gradually noticed that the days that I hemmed in with prayer, seemed to go a little better.

    St. Paul said, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to people, God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."  1 Corinthians 10:13.  Jesus tells us, "Come to me, all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:29.  And in Romans, Paul writes, "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28

    From this, we know that we will not experience any temptation, difficulties, problems beyond our strength.  Jesus is continually calling us to come to Him, learn from Him, and we will find rest for our souls, that in everything God works for good with those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  Fretting, worrying, being overly anxious is not of God, and what is not of God, is sinful.  But . . . we have a Saviour.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16.  Let's read it again . . . For God so loves ME that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  Wow!  That changes everything . . . Not the world . . . but ME.  God loves me that much!  Jesus died for MY sins.  I am forgiven!
 

    The worrying, fretting, anxiety were gradually replaced with trust in God, that He was in charge—not me, I was not alone.  Jesus was with me, is with me, and will be with me.  The peace that God gives me is beyond understanding, but it is there all the same.  Do I ever worry or get anxious about anything now?  Yes, but not to the extent that I did.  I try to put them all in God's hands and let go.  Do I forget to?  Yes, but Jesus keeps calling me back to Him, and I listen as He talks to me in a "still, small voice" from within me, through a friend, through the Bible . . . God works in many ways.  We just have to be open to Him and be aware to His presence.

    You know God doesn't demand that we follow Him or His ways.  "Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."  Revelation 3:20.  God is standing at the door of your heart . . . knocking . . . waiting . . . waiting . . . and listening for an invitation from you to invite Him in.  If you haven't already done so, please do—your life will never be the same again.  The change in your life won't happen all at once.  It is a slow, growing, maturing process.  We all are being changed into His likeness from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18b) . . . one step at a time . . . as we are able to understand and digest it.

    What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart.  I invite you to invite Jesus into your life, too . . . You will never regret it.  Amen.
   

Eric's Story
Submitted by Eric Huggard
    In a recent of the Newsletter, I was persuaded that the trend is leading me more and more to be convinced that God is doing a very special work.

    I am very thankful for those individuals (fellow believers) who have had the courage to express their thoughts and personal belief in our Lord Jesus Christ.

    I have been one of those persons who has been on the road for many years, but, like many others, I have been a cowardly Christian.

    It was in the early thirties area that a United Church minister came to the Belleisle Creek area.  One of his preaching points was in the small hall in this community, Avonmore.  There were times that he was more outspoken than others.  As a child, I picked up on this.  In the United Church, this thought was not all that popular at that time.  My father being an Anglican, and my mother United Church, I did not get much support at home.

    As time went on, we attended the Anglican service at Belleisle Creek in the afternoon and the United Church at Belleisle in evening, a full Sunday as far as attending church services.

    Perhaps thirty years later, I attended evangelistic services in Norton Wesleyan Church.  I received enough from these services to change my vocabulary which was not good when I was out of sorts.  Yet I still loved the almighty dollar and the things of this world.

    In the Spring of 1959, I attended a week of services conducted by Rev. LeDrew Gardner: it was from these services at Trinity Church, Springfield, that I fully realized that Christ died for me and that God the Holy Spirit would come into my heart and change my life.  Since that time, the process has been quite slow.

    Yet the Bible speaks to me far more plainly now, as well as the Articles of Religion and the Creed.  I am very thankful that I made that decision or . . .  rather . . . did not God make it for me?

    I do not know the length of time that remains for me in this present life . . . yet the comforting words that He spoke: “I will be with you even unto the end of the world.”  Amen.

    Glory be the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Thanks for visiting our site! for information or to send comments, contact  webmaster.  Christ Church Web Site launched April 7, 1999: Revised to the Parish of Central Kings web site, June 30, 2002:  Original site created by Patti Hoyt; Revised 2007 by Anne Walling.

Photos by Patti Hoyt and Anne Walling.