What I learned from Joseph this week

Joseph and Jesus

When we examine the lives of Jesus and Joseph, we see many similarities and learn at many important lessons for our lives. The story of Joseph takes place in the Old Testament. This story foreshadows the story of Jesus and salvation in the New Testament.

Joseph was hated by his brothers. They were jealous of the love he received from their father. Jesus was hated as well, not by his brothers, but by the Pharisees and other religious leaders. They were jealous of the love and attention he was receiving by the people. These leaders were also worried about losing the power that they had attained.

Joseph was beaten and thrown into a pit, then sold into slavery, even though he was innocent. Jesus, too, was beaten, and put into prison and also was innocent. Joseph, again, although an honest man, was put into prison, after being wrongly accused by Potiphor’s wife. He never lost hope in his God, but continued to pray and worship, even in prison. Jesus, was nailed on the cross, with the crowd cheering. He, instead of condemning them and thinking badly of them, declares to God, “Forgive them Lord, for they do not know what they have done.” Similarly, Joseph, when confronted by his evil brothers, who hurt him deeply, forgave them and said it was all part of God’s Plan.

Can you imagine how Joseph’s brothers must have felt? All those years living with the burden of guilt of hurting Joseph and the pain that they unthinkingly caused their father pain was almost too much to bear at times. Then, being confronted with their sin, by coming face to face with Joseph, they probably felt great joy knowing that Joseph was not dead, but also great shame at realizing that Joseph knew their sin. Knowing that they really deserved to die, or be punished, and receiving totally undeserved forgiveness and mercy from their brother must have been overwhelming. Wow. That is exactly how we feel when we come to the realization that we deserve to be punished because of our sin against God, yet, instead of death, Jesus, even after being put to death by man, forgives us and embraces us as his brother and God’s child. It is so overwhelming.

So in conclusion, we see how God has used the story of Joseph, to help us understand the power of forgiveness and love that only comes from Himself.

Valley View 3rd Annual "Tournament of Hearts" Bonspiel and Artisan's Fair

Be sure to sign up to "Curl with your Cutie" at our 3rd annual curling bonspiel.

Date: Saturday, February 13, 2010, 10:30 am - 4:00 pm

Location: York Curling Club, 220 Muriel Street, Newmarket

Tickets: $25 each for curlers, $5 each for spectators.

Visit the WAVE table in the church foyer for more information about the event, or to sign up for the Chili and Apple Crisp cook-off. Those who are especially gifted in the creative arts should speak to Denise Voth about setting up a table to display your work at the Artisan's Fair. Ten percent from all artisan sales and $5 from each curling/spectator ticket will go to support the Caspian Academy Library. Hurry Hard!

When we listen God answers

When my Uncle passed away on boxing day the lord answered my question about how I would be able to be with my dad during this time. My uncle lives almost 30 hours away and my dad is four hours away from me. When we found out that my uncle was ill and probably wouldn't see the spring my dad and I decided that I would not go with him due to the cost of taking a week off of work and flying to my uncles. The entire week of Christmas I kept praying to the lord to find a way for my dad to not be alone when the call came in about my uncle. Needless to say my dad was at my house when he got the call about his brother and I had the week between Christmas and New Year's already booked off work. So it worked out that I was able to go with my dad. Halfway to my uncles I realized that I was giving up my only week during the year that I get to have for myself but immediatley the lord answered this realization with that for family we make sacrifices. I have grown closer to my family and the lord since this happened.

Bitter Sweet

I had my eyes set on a picturesque herb and wildflower garden, with a comfy bench in the perfect shade spot where I could spend sometime meditating. Everything was mapped out, tools were gathered, starter plants and seeds all carefully selected. Three weeks previously my father in law had taken the rotatiller through and out of a labour of love had prepared this wild chosen plot ready for planting. Sleeves rolled up, I began to do the last minute grooming. I began to pull out what I thought were some quick growing, easy to pluck weeds. To my dismay within minutes I was up to my armpits deep underground trying to find the root ends of this hidden mass of entangled roots. It wasn't long before I realized that some previous hidden horseradish had managed to take over the entire plot with most of the ambush not visible to the casual onlooker. As my determination to rid my precious garden of this ruthless invader began to whane after an hour of blood, sweat and some tears, I took a few minutes to reagin some compsure and to capture a second breath. I lay back on the sunbaked earth, took in a couple of deep breaths and exhaled some major frustrations. It was in that moment that the epiphany struck. God had more than one reason to instruct his children to use horseradish as a bitter memory for Passover. Some roots of this destable plant were burried more than three feet underground, but the original source was no bigger than a small pea. Something so minute left unattended was threatening the life of everything else around it. What a powerful visual picture of the reality of how the tiniest resentment left unattended within my soul can silently choke out the light, life and spirit of Christ within me. It has become a sweet reminder that is now rooted and planted deep within my soul. pjsister

WAVE of Prayer Email Address

Please send short prayer requests to waveofprayer@rogers.com and you will receive a 'wave' of prayer in response from one of our 5 person prayer teams.

Dinner with God

My latest God Moment took place yesterday. I was helping out with the Community Dinner program. In the midst of the busyness I felt compelled to stand back and just watch. It was almost as if I wasn't there but watching a movie. There were the volunteers of all ages each doing their task, talking and laughing together. I felt as if God was saying This is what the Body of Christ looks like. Each person was doing their job in harmony. Each task was important. The dish washers were as important as the meat slicers, each job dependent on the other person doing their job. It was like watching a symphony As I watched my mind reflected on Christmas and the gift of Jesus. Each advent week we celebrated a facet of Christ and what his birth brought. Hope, Joy, Peace and Love. As I watched the preparations and the intermingling with the guests I saw Hope, Joy, Peace and Love, Yes God I said , this is what the Body looks like. Thank you for allowing me the gift of seeing it.