Pastor's Keyboard

May 12, 2013

Pastor Sid — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:29:48 +0000

Many of you have experienced similar transitions. Last Friday Sue and I loaded a trailer with some furniture, boxes and books, left over clothing and cleaning supplies and drove out to Waterloo, to help our son Nathanael move. He was able to land a small upstairs three room apartment for himself and his new bride. We spent the afternoon cleaning cupboards, scrubbing bathrooms, washing floors, and sweeping a patio to make the place his own. On Tuesday this week, Sue drove with Nathanael out to Dordt College, where he would continue his journey on to Modesto, California, with his bride to be. Both Sue and Nathanael were able to catch Lindsay’s “pinning” as a nurse as well as graduation from Dordt College on Friday. Sue came back with some of Lindsay’s stuff, plus our two sons, Ryan and Tyler, who are home for the summer. Then on Tuesday, the five of us, including Monika, will be flying out of Toronto, to San Francisco, on our way to Modesto, California for the wedding of our second son Nathanael Peter, to Lindsay Hannink, on Saturday, May 18th. We will be gone from Tuesday, May 14th through to Monday, May 20th, of the long weekend. We’ll be coming back from San Francisco to Buffalo. It will make for a very busy and exciting week of vacation, with family and friends coming from all over. Nathanael and Lindsay plan to live in Waterloo as Nathan continues to study for his Masters of Engineering at the University of Waterloo. Cleaning the bath tub, and washing down the outside patio tin roof was somewhat therapeutic for both Sue and I, as together we worked hard to improve a new place of living and love for our kids. As we cleaned out our own home with more of his stuff, a new nest was in the process of being built. It kind of fits the theme of the coming of spring. Our prayer is that the Lord may bless their new home too.” Pastor Sid

May 5, 2013

Pastor Sid — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:41:43 +0000

The words that came to mind were; “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” Last week I wrote about the joy I find walking down to Forty Mile Creek several times a week. This time of the year I find myself going almost every day. I always take a pair of binoculars and Sue’s camera. Last week I wrote of hoping to see a Baltimore oriole this summer. I was walking along side the bowling alley and there on top of a tree was a beautiful Baltimore oriole. It was Monday’s gift that totally filled my heart. Sue and I came across a great white Egret. They are like a great blue heron only pure white, with long black legs and a big straight yellow beak. I returned after supper only to catch the bird wading in the calm waters. I was able to take pictures in pairs, playing with reflections on the water. I snuck behind trees and watched this large white bird use its wings to gracefully hop over stumps and fallen down trees, pausing for a pose, and gently make its way back down towards the water, looking for more food. I had never seen a great white egret in forty mile creek and it was immeasurably more than what I could have asked for. I walked down to the mouth of the river again, and a friend pointed out that alongside the large Caspian terns, were some Common terns. The Caspian tern has a large sharp orange beak with black feet, and some black feathers underneath the wings, where as the Common tern half the size has a sharp orange beak that turns black at the end, and bright orange feet. Here I was, less than a week later, finding three new birds, more than what I asked for, let alone imagine, and that’s just a few birds. It makes me think of meeting two or three people whose hearts are yearning to come clean with God, or four or five people wanting to belong to a body of believers like Mountainview. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen” Pastor Sid

April 28, 2013

Pastor Sid — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 02:22:13 +0000

Now is the time to stop and listen. Take a look. You will only be able to see what’s going on all around you for a few more weeks. Listen to the song birds open the morning spring. Robins and Cardinals and Sparrows and Red Wings Blackbirds combine for a symphony of sound that no orchestra can produce. Watch closely and you’ll see tufts of grass in beaks as they scout out the neighbourhood looking for places to build their nests. This past week I walked down Forty Mile creek and spotted the return of the black crowned night heron. She stands about a foot and a half to two feet tall, has an all white belly, with greyish blue wings and three inch hard blue beak. I went a couple of days later and found the greyer male counterpart, with three white strands of feather tuft blowing in the wind each about twelve inches long. It made me wonder where these two spent the winter months in the Southern States or further South into Mexico. The mouth of the creek empties into Lake Ontario where there were scraping cries coming from a group of Royal Terns. They too are black and white with sharp deep orange beaks. There is excitement in the air as the birds pair up to make their nest and prepare to lay their eggs. The trees are beginning to once again show life, with buds and blossoms and new blooms appearing on branches. Leaves cannot be far behind and once the leaves come, the birds are hidden from sight. I hope to welcome the Green Back Herons back to Forty Mile creek too. One bird I really look forward to seeing this year will be the Baltimore Oriole. The contrasting colours of orange and black make for a startling sight up against the green back drop of leaves. Spring is a wonderful time of the year that not only pushes up flowers and blossoms and fruit tree blooms. It also brings feathered friends who have been vacationing down south back into our lives. Do take time to stop and listen. Pastor Sid

April 21, 2013

Pastor Sid — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:50:44 +0000

This past week began with two bombs going off at the finish line while the Boston Marathon was still in progress. Twenty seven thousand people were running along the route, with tens of thousands of people along the entire forty-two kilometre route, cheering on their loved ones. The Boston Marathon is the one race that most long distance runners attempt at running one time in their life. It’s so popular that one needs to qualify for the race under a certain age category. Most everyone that signs up for a marathon trains for months ahead of time, if not years. I sing with a fellow in men’s chorus who runs in St. Catharines three times a week. Five of the guys who he runs with were running in the Boston Marathon on Monday. He was glued to the television, looking to see if he would be able to catch a glimpse of his friends. The bomb went off at 4 hours and 9 minutes into the race, when a great number would be passing through. I’ve run the Vancouver Marathon on four occasions and the first time I ran I came in at 4 hours and 9 minutes. Each time I ran, I remember the finish line filled with people three, four, five, some times 10 deep. Watching the bomb go off time and again was horrific, killing 3, maiming so many more. I found myself surprised that the death toll was not higher and the injury toll more destructive. It appeared that not one runner was injured in the actual attack. And yet, the senseless attack seems to have hit us all, reminding us of senseless violence around the globe. I’m reminded of Paul’s words, comparing his life to someone running a race, of which we are all a part, the human race. And it was Jesus who entered that same race, and died at the finish line, so that our lives might continue to run. That almost makes a Marathon sound like a jog to the front door. May violence and terror not diminish our call to run the race in love, with Jesus at our side. Pastor Sid

April 14, 2013

Pastor Sid — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:48:08 +0000

I am so ready for the warmth of spring. While we were in the cold, I enjoyed the cold. But we know what’s coming and our beings are filled with anticipation. We were glad with the snow, and the snow has long since left. Now it’s time for green. This spirit of being “so ready,” is one often experienced in life. When a mother is eight and a half months pregnant, she is so ready to have this child. Children going to school are often so ready for recess. Young people attending high school are so ready for summer holidays. Somehow, the Lord seems to have a way of preparing us for the next stages of life. Often couples courting are so ready to get married. Young couples recently married are so ready to begin a family. Last weekend Sue and I were able to fly out to British Columbia to participate in the funeral of a dear friend. She was struggling with the affects of breast cancer and did everything to fight against the affects of that horrific disease. The last number of weeks and months were most difficult for everyone involved. And yet, they were also most rewarding. There was a point where prayers began to change. She no longer prayed for healing because the suffering in her journey had become so intense. There came a point in her journey where she was so ready to leave this earth of sorrow and grief and be joined with her Lord in a new heaven and a new earth. It’s kind of like spring, where snow drops and crocuses begin poking out their heads. There are those who have travelled so many springs and who have watched life come and go with so many, that they too find themselves ready to leave this earth. I marvel at how the Lord prepares our hearts for the changing of the seasons. Song birds are already announcing its coming. I for one am so ready for the warmth of spring. Pastor Sid

April 7, 2013

Pastor Sid — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 00:30:17 +0000

We have celebrated Good Friday and Easter and we now set our sights for the Ascension of Jesus and Pentecost. Ascension is celebrated 40 days after Easter, and Pentecost, 50 days after Easter. During the next seven weeks we as a congregation will look to the book of Acts, which was also written by Luke. The theme of the new series of sermons is called THE BIG CHURCH. I understand Mountainview has a little reputation of being called “THE BIG CHURCH.” I even heard someone call it “the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is one of the finest examples of Mughal Architecture, the jewel of Muslim Art in India. It combines Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian architecture all in one piece. To everyone’s amazement, it was built in 1632-1653, as a memorial for Shah Jahan’s third wife. The Taj Majal is a Mausoleum. And these are the words that Shah Jahan wrote to accompany this magnificent structure; “Should guilty seek asylum here, Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin. Should a sinner make his way to this mansion, all his past sins are to be washed away. The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs; And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes. In this world this edifice has been made; To display thereby the creator’s glory. The Taj This building is only 13 years old, and was certainly not designed and built as a Mausoleum. Yes, it has a cross on its tallest peak, but “we do not come looking for the dead among the living. He is not here! He has Risen!” Like The Taj, we also believe that anyone who comes here can find themselves pardoned. He or she becomes freed from sin. But it’s not the building. During the next seven weeks we will explore the book of Acts as Luke reveals THE BIG CHURCH. On April 14th, we’ll be looking at the church on Opening Day, in Acts 2. On April 21st, we’ll look at The Big Church and Big Prayers. On April 28th, we look at the Big Church being Big and Bold. On May 12th we will explore The Big Church and The Big Audience. On May 26th, we’ll look at the Big Church and the Big Drift, from Acts 15. On June 2nd, we’ll look at the Big Church and Big Answers. And finally, on June 16th: we’ll look at the Big Church and Big Opportunities. We pray that in the weeks to come, Jesus might be preparing our hearts in little ways for big things that he might want to accomplish in and through us. Pastor Sid.

March 31, 2013

Pastor Sid — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:34:14 +0000

I visited with Harold and Donna Feddema this past week. The night before, I met with their daughter Elise, who continues to make preparations for her wedding with Mitch Snippe. Mitch and Elise are planning to get married in two weeks, at the Country Heritage Park barn in Milton Ontario, Friday, April 12th at 5:30 p.m. The Feddemas are looking forward to celebrating this special occasion yet find themselves still deeply wrapped in grief. It has not even been a year since their daughter Chelsea was tragically killed while riding a horse. Each passing day pulls them further away from the time that she was still alive, still with them as a family, still here on this earth in her vibrant personality and presence. Each week that passes confirms the horror that she is no longer here. Last weekend Harold and Donna were invited to the opening of a new ministry center for Rose City Kids in Welland, where they named the building after Chelsea. In the presentation they unveiled a large picture of their beautiful daughter and appropriate words were spoken and written underneath. While being honoured, they were confronted with the reality that it’s still true. Chelsea is really gone! So many tears have been shed and shared between the two of them, often feeling like they are in such different places than everyone else. Even while surrounded by family members and close friends, the word “alien” comes to mind, a different place than everyone else, while still cherishing and needing family and close friends. Grief runs so deep. Hanging on one of their walls is a quote from a holocaust survivor which says “I believe in the sun even when it’s not shining. I believe in love even when I don’t feel it. I believe in God even when he remains silent.” Today would have marked Chelsea’s 24th birthday. She was born on March 31st 1989 and in all her years only once did her birthday land on Easter. Today, less than a year after her passing, her birthday just happens to land on Easter Sunday. The day is received as bitter sweet. It comes with horror and hope. It comes with sorrow and sadness while celebrating the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. In the midst o f the harsh realities of grief comes the gift of an Easter Sunday, landing on the birthday of a daughter, grand daughter, a girlfriend and close friend of many, dearly missed. Chelsea has gone before us, to a place we all hope to be, in the presence of our resurrected Lord and Saviour, where there is no more sorrow, suffering, tears and death. Happy Easter Chelsea, happy Easter. Pastor Sid

March 24, 2013

Pastor Sid — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:20:05 +0000

This afternoon will be a celebrative farewell for Ryan and Amanda VanGeest, as they prepare to once again leave for Mongolia and continue their ministry through Mission Aviation Fellowship. A number of church families have been invited to join us, including Fruitland, Smithville, Fenwick, Beamsville, and Jubilee C.R.C., Lakemount and Forestview, Centennial Baptist, and Cumberland Pentecostal Church in Hamilton. The offering will go towards supporting the VanGeests in their mission work. They are tremendously grateful for the amazing support which they have already received and are in need of $1000.00 a month more in pledges, to make it feasible for them to return. We have also invited the third Mongolian family, whose son has already undergone open heart surgery, and is staying with the DeGraaf family, to join us. We have invited this second translator to say a few words in our service as well. This past week Ryan and Amanda learned of one more child who will be needing open heart surgery. The family is expected to arrive in early April and they are once again looking for a host family. Please contact Ryan VanGeest if you think you are able to help. The Outreach Committee has been working hard on preparing a farewell meal for them, where everyone will be invited to join. As it turns out, the only feasible date left on the calendar was Sunday following the afternoon service. So here is the invitation, to come and join us in our Sunday afternoon service of worship and plan to stay for supper as well. I for one can say that my eyes have been opened to the nation of Mongolia, and the amazing ministry that God is doing, changing lives in the name of Jesus, through the power of his Holy Spirit. Through Ryan and Amanda, Mountainview Christian Reformed Church has been given front row seats. Pastor Sid

March 17, 2013

Pastor Sid — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:28:38 +0000

We went back to Belleville one more time for a final clean out of the family home. Mom and dad have settled in nicely into a two bedroom apartment in a seniors’ complex. We came towing a trailer to retrieve some stuff. What we thought was an empty house, still had lots of stuff in it. The back shed had to be emptied, along with the garage. Everything had to come out of Dad’s workbench area and mom’s laundry space. Fifty-two years of gathering, living, working, collecting and cleaning, gathers a lot of stuff. Garbage bags began to pile. Knick knacks and souvenir stories lost their luster. Old books and magazines that were too good to be tossed, were now good enough to be tossed. There was still so much stuff. I noticed my siblings slipping memories and meaningful furniture in their vehicles, but our trailer did not come back empty, and neither did the back of our van. We too were loaded. The rooms were being vacuumed and wiped and cleaned one by one, with the door being shut behind them. Lunch was eaten on the living room and dining room floor. I can’t remember being in the carpeted living room with my shoes on, but they stayed on that day. I took one more trip down to the creek and said “good-bye creek.” I passed the well half way up the hill and said “thank-you” well. I walked by the garden and said “thanks garden” and that’s when a tear came into my eye, remembering planting potatoes with my dad, weeding with my siblings and the magical moment of harvesting the dead plants and finding five, six, seven or eight potatoes buried underneath. “Goodbye” garden. I went down stairs into my “teen-age” bedroom and said “Good bye bedroom. And when the house was finally emptied and cleaned, we found ourselves standing in a circle, holding hands, and simply giving thanks to God for a place that we were able to call home for fifty-two years. We also prayed a word of blessing on the home for the next family that would move in at the end of the month, a young family with six children. We were able to do that, because that’s what our God does. It’s something that we certainly experienced in the home on Avonlaugh Road. Thank you Lord, for places we are able to call home. Pastor Sid

March 10, 2013

Pastor Sid — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:22:26 +0000

While we were sleeping, the time supposedly changed. I’m always a little nervous this time of the year wondering who will forget, afraid that I will forget, and show up an hour late. Every year there were one or two people who showed up at church, wondering why the parking lot was so empty. In our previous congregation we had a man who collected clocks and was proud to tell you that on any given day, he would have 70 clocks ticking in his home at once. It was during the fall season, when we set our clocks ahead that he showed up for church when it was almost finished. I watched him standing in the back of church near the end of my sermon, looking perplexed. After the service I shook his hand and asked him if he was late because he had so many clocks to reset. We had a pretty good laugh. It was a little darker when we woke up this morning, and tonight the sun will be setting past 7:00 p.m. It feels like we’ve walked from winter into spring. We now have an evening that will include some daylight. I distinctly remember how delightful it was to be able to play outside after supper as a child, because there was light. Along with the added light will come increased temperatures. Along with warmer temperatures come more songs in the air. Birds will begin to trumpet the coming of spring with a chorus of music that no symphony or band is ever able to duplicate. Last night we may have lost an hour, but the day somehow seems longer. We lost an hour, but we’ve gained a spring. May you find joy in the hour that you lost. Pastor Sid