All that we have comes from God. We have the privilege and task of wisely and joyfully managing his resources. How do we do this? Like this woman’s example, we are to delight in making much of Jesus with all we’ve been given. What we do with money, whether God has entrusted us with a little or a lot, reveals much about where our heart is (Matthew 6:21). It’s not easy.

Through Christ’s resurrection power in us, let’s reckon ourselves dead to our old, self-serving ways, and instead be committed to believe and assume the best in one another. Let’s take care not to fall into Satan’s trap of rash judgements. James tells us that it’s best to be “slow to speak, slow to anger” and “quick to hear” (James 1:19). The more caring insight and empathy we have for one another, the more trust and goodwill we will have in our church family. There’s an ongoing battle for souls, but it’s this kind of love that will result in better resolutions to the difficulties and challenges we face. Best of all, it’s also this kind of love that will bomb blast the Devil right out of here!

As the sign outside our church this week reads: “If you see someone without a smile, give them yours.” This same principle, in Jesus’ name, can be extended to say, “If you see someone without hope, given them yours. If you see someone without grace, give them yours. If you see someone without love, given them yours. If you see someone without strength (ready to collapse), give them yours.”

As you may have already heard, 40 children last Sunday are now connected with loving sponsors. You have truly made a difference in the world - thank you! We are glad to partner with Compassion Canada (International) in this endeavor as a church. They are one of the world’s leading child development organizations. I love how they are a Christ-centered ministry who work closely with over 6,500 local churches in 26 countries to end poverty in the lives of children and their families.

It’s been awhile since I meandered about music. Music is one of God’s great gifts to us.  This past week I’ve been enjoying All Sons & Daughters' newest album. They are a Christian worship duo (Leslie Anne Jordan & David Alan Leonard) who perform in an acoustic, folk sound. They are very committed to their church where they lead worship.

A few weeks ago we were blessed to have some family stay with us. My six year old nephew has a very inquisitive mind. His eyes never seemed to stop surveying every centimeter of each room he entered. Like a bee tenaciously seeking pollen, he would open drawers, cupboards, closet doors, opening any container he discovered, insatiably looking to pollinate his curious mind. I found myself repeatedly saying to him, “Please, ask me first, before you go opening and taking things out.”

Every week I witness so many of you tenaciously and joyously emptying the tank, and going hard in the kingdom work we do together. As our Canadian athletes mutually inspire one another and our nation during the Olympics, I know we’ll continue, with all God’s might and for his glory, to do the same in the Valley. I am so glad to be a part of God’s winning family here at New Minas Baptist Church.

The reality is that consistent Bible reading, like eating healthy and exercising, we know is good for us, but we just don't do it like we should. Yet, more than physical pursuits, it is far more crucial to hear and obey the voice of the Lord. Sobering is the Word of God through Jeremiah to us, “To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the Lord is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it” (6:10). Prone to be “dull off hearing” (Hebrew 5:11), it’s so important that we ask our Lord for a hunger for his Word, and that our ears and eyes would be open to receive his truth and gladly obey it.

This month’s Meandering Photo on the theme of gentleness was sent in by RaeAnne Bekkers. She describes it as “a picture of God's gentleness in making such amazing flowers and strawberries for us to enjoy.” What a lovely picture, and it’s so true. Where our sin only deserved thorns and thistles (Genesis 3:17-19), God has graciously given us beautiful fruits and flowers to enjoy. In Christ, may we also extend this refreshing fruit of the Spirit through thoughtful acts of gentleness and kindness to those around us.

The primary task of every follower of Jesus is to tend to the matters of the heart. It is in the garden of the heart where God’s Spirit dwells and looks to walk with us in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8). We have great responsibility to guard our hearts and weed out anything that would hinder our communion with the Lord.

An old spiritual, written by Rev. Gary Davis, goes, “Talk about me as much as you please, I’ll talk about you down on my knees.” If we’d talk less about what we don’t like in others, and instead prayed for them, the world would be a better place.

Hearing the grass crunch under my feet I thought how quickly things can dry out. We are so dependent upon consistent precipitation, especially our blessed farmers. Some areas in Canada are dealing with drought-like conditions. It was so good to hear the rain hitting the windows, saturating the earth, bringing much needed moisture to our area.

Pastor John Beers, who enjoys photography, sent in this great photo on the theme of ‘wisdom’ for this month’s Meandering Photo Search. He writes, “Here is a picture that might fit the theme for wisdom. The arrangement was put together by Michelle Walker. I thought it was such a beautiful arrangement that I took a picture of it. I added the writing to it - Psalm 119:105.”