Growth Part Two

My knowledge of scripture also grew in 2025. I would say that I am committed to this type of growth every year. The scripture that stimulated the biggest personal growth in 2025 was the parable of the Shrewd Manager in Luke Chapter 16. I have added the scripture to the bottom of this blog. It might help to give it a read before reading my thoughts and opinions.

 I was speaking at Nipissing United Church & Restoule United Church and Luke 16:1-13 is what the lectionary (a list or book of portions of the Bible appointed to be read at a church service) brought forth. Before I became part of the United Church, I had never used a lectionary and like all things, there are pros and cons. I don’t think I would have chosen to speak about this parable however, for communities that don’t have a full time Minister, I think it is respectful to follow the lectionary.

This was a difficult scripture for me because the part that initially stood out is that the manager is a liar, a cheat…..and he gets praised for it.  I can not deny that it bothers me, and I can not find any simple way to explain it or justify it. And that is where my growth began in humbly reminding myself, I don’t have all the answers. Somethings don’t fit nicely into my thinking.  Before I dug deeper into the scripture, I made peace with the fact that some things I won’t understand. However, I know God’s word will offer me some insight, hope, encouragement or something of value even when I don’t understand it all. I decided I would try to set aside my preconceived ideas and sincerely look for what God wanted me to learn.

I sat down and read the scripture a few more times. My mind wandered off thinking about the word shrewd. It made me think of the Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew”, which I actual have no idea what that play is about even though I saw it when I was in high school. And the hamster kept running – I thought, I don’t know if I have ever heard someone use the word ‘shrewd’ when talking with me. If they did, I probably would not have focused on the meaning of the word but more on how strange it would be to use to use such an “old” word. And then the wheel stopped – I don’t actually know the meaning of the word shrewd. I get a negative feeling or I assume a negative context of the word, but I don’t really know the literal meaning of shrewd. I Googled it.

Shrewd – having or showing insight, intelligence, and understanding to make good judgements about practical matters (as in business or finances) according to Merriam-Webster.com.

Shrewd is a great word. I want to be shrewd. I want more shrewd people in my life.

What a practical life lesson. Sometimes we are wrong because our assumed knowledge or information is not 100% accurate. We only know what we know.  Each person’s life builds a different database of feelings and assumptions with the words we use and hear. It reminded me of a fantastic conversation I had with a friend years ago about the words ‘submit’ and ‘submission’. We had very different responses, feelings and attitudes about the words submit and submission. Words are very powerful.

In the end this scripture convicted me about how I view my finances. I wondered if I was being shrewd with what God has provided me with. This part of growth in 2025 was a bit like riding a roller coaster. I was nervous about getting on the ride but once it left the station I knew I was committed. By the end of the year, I was simply enjoying the ups and downs of it all. I can honestly say, last year I had a lot of new growth in trusting God with my finances. I think the stories of that journey will require another post – Growth Part 2 of Part 2.

I offer this prayer:

Thank-you God for being so patient with me. That you for so lovingly guiding me to dismantle my preconceived ideas and assumptions so that I can see you better. May I continue to come to you with a willing heart to learn and grow. Amen

J - The One Jesus Loves

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager

16 Then Jesus said to the disciples, ‘There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. ² So he summoned him and said to him, “What is this that I hear about you? Give me an account of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.” ³ Then the manager said to himself, “What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. ⁴ I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.” ⁵ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, “How much do you owe my master?” ⁶ He answered, “A hundred jugs of olive oil.” He said to him, “Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.” ⁷ Then he asked another, “And how much do you owe?” He replied, “A hundred containers of wheat.” He said to him, “Take your bill and make it eighty.” ⁸ And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. ⁹ And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.

¹⁰ ‘Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. ¹¹ If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? ¹² And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? ¹³ No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.’

Used from Bible Gateway

Shrove Tuesday

St. Andrew's United Church was happy to host a Pancake Supper last night. It was wonderful to have friends and family come out and enjoy a meal and fellowship. We love being able to open our doors and invite the community in. St. Andrew's is a place where all are welcomed.

It was awesome to have a great group of volunteers out, ready to serve the community. It is fantastic when volunteers who have been working for a long time are joined by new faces, ready to lend a helping hand. Thank-you to our team for your hard work. You all are amazing.

2025 Growth (Part One)

For the last few years, I have had a word that becomes a bit of an umbrella over my life. I use the word to help me focus my energy. Three years ago, the word was “better”. I didn't have to be the best, but I was willing to try for better. Better wife, better mother, better friend, better disciple - generally just a little bit better. One day I would get irritated with the boys six or eight times, the next day only four – better. Even a short little workout felt better than the option of not doing one at all. Overall, I found the year very positive. There were so many opportunities to offer grace, mercy and encouragement to myself and those in my life. People (including me) are not perfect but we are trying for better and it counts.

 Two years ago, the word was ‘resilient”. And a word like that makes it clear; I don't just pick a word and hope for the best. If that was the case I would pick “prosperous”, I would not pick resilient. However, the year of resilient really did teach me how resilient I am. Most of all, I learned how resilient my faith is and that God was never going to fail. I learned how resilient my marriage and kids are. I learned how resilient our local church can be.  I would not like to repeat such a year, but “On Christ, the solid rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand” (My Hope Is Build on Nothing Less by Edward Mote)

And just last year the word was “grow”. I was so excited for a season of growth. I'm ambitious. My mind ran wild with ideas. But, my idea of growth and God's idea of growth aren't always the same. Looking back, I see 3 big lessons. I will share lesson one in this post. It is important that I start this story by telling you the end. Everything worked out fine. It was just a cyst. However, for a moment in 2025 it was an unknown lump in my breast. Good thing I had already learned about resilience because that helped me keep my head in the game. However, I did think, “God this wasn't the sort of growth I was looking for.”  The process was quick and the care I received was great. That being said, there still were days of waiting, wondering and worry.

Many years ago, a pastor gave a sermon that compared Peter’s declaration of love for God vs. John’s declaration of God’s love for him. John, who often wrote in his gospel, “…the one Jesus loved" (John 13:23,19:26,20:2, 21:7) claiming Christ’s love confidently and boldly. I thought it was fantastic. Many of those close to me have heard me refer to myself as “the one Jesus loves’. I have also encouraged others to claim it for themselves. Jesus’ love changes everything. During the time of waiting for results from tests and exams Mountain Man, Hawkeyes and Danger said things like - "you're the one Jesus loves, so this can’t be" My family grew in trust, love and faith. What I learned is trust, love and faith don't grow well when you hold them too tight. I held the things I value most in an open hand to God and let them grow.

I know this, I am the one Jesus loves. Even if the results were different, It would not have been because I was any less loved by him. Jesus' love does not prevent scary things, suffering or difficulties. Instead, it offers a different way to grow and experience God.

Sincerely,

J -The One Jesus Loves