GBC Community Update: Spiritual Practices to help you draw closer to God

 Good morning! If we had any doubt fall was upon us today’s weather will get rid of that! It’s been nice to pray for our students returning to school these past two Sundays.  As we move into the fall semester, which is filled with a lot of unknows, may we continue to pray for all of them.
 
 
Mission’s Update
Buchner Praise and Prayer Update
-Health
-Work
-Messages
 
We continue our morning walks in the park and coffee when we can for exercise and fresh air.  Dave continues to build up his stamina and help for mobility with weekly physio appointments.  His first major dental appointment went well except for tiredness after the 2 hours at the dentist. Second major dental appointment for Dave is September 17th for placement of a crown and 3 minor fillings.  Dave was fitted today for a new adjustable hand splint.  The other one was getting soft after heat adjustments.
 
Recent new connections for 4 internationals (China, Brazil) with existing conversation partners.
Ongoing contacts for English with our teachers, conversation partners, conversation group members.
 
Encouraging feedback from our internationals (see 2 messages that are particularly encouraging below).
 
Karen is working on a website for Guelph international students with student testimonials from some who have enjoyed the English conversation opportunities through having an English conversation partner, and involvement in the English conversation groups.
Lucy, now back in China, sent me an email about her experience with the English program and other opportunities while here as a visiting scholar:
“As a visiting scholar I find the conversation group and one to one partners very helpful not only to improve my English but also to learn about the local culture．  Through group discussions and one to one conversations I have the courage to open my mouth to express myself．  This makes my life much easier in both academic and daily life．  I really appreciate what my devoted teachers， like Linda， Henk， Elmer， Lucas, and my conversation partner Cathy did for me．  They make me feel that I’m a member of a happy family and I’m loved by them and by God．  All my teachers are very considerate to organize all kinds of activities for us， such as a party， a play and a short travel together which has enriched my life and alleviated my loneliness a lot！  Thank you， all my dear friends I mentioned in this email.  You create a special and unforgettable memory of living in Canada．”
 
Henk (heads up the ISMC ministry in Guelph and teaches different Bible studies) received an email from someone who recently returned to China.  He tries to meet with each returnee and give them a copy of a flash drive that Dave prepared to give to the returnees.  This is an encouraging email to see how this still is bearing fruit in the lives of those who return:
“I watched some videos on the flash drive you gave me.  I think the people who made the videos are very thoughtful and they must know very well about the traditional culture of China.  From those videos I have got a lot of new thoughts about how to interpret the concept of "God" in different cultures.  The videos also consolidated my belief in the Word of God.  In the future I will try my best to follow Jesus not only in words but also in actions.  No matter how far I go in the Bible learning journey, the Word will be a power resource of my life.  I wish I can get a wiser head and a peaceful heart after this learning.”
 
These messages are rich in their entirety of how our Lord continues to work in the lives of the internationals that He brings into the lives of the many ISMC staff and volunteers who serve Him.
 
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support for Dave and me as well as the many others here in Guelph and elsewhere.
 
Blessings as you also serve Him,
Linda (and Dave)
 
 
Wednesday Prayer
Join Jacob and Karen Ginter at our GBC Prayer Night on Wednesday’s at 7pm at GBC.
Please plan to join us in prayer God’s Kingdom to come, His will to be done, in Guelph as it is in Heaven!
For questions or further details please contact Jacob Ginter– [email protected] or text 519-803-4453
 
 
Thought for the day:  Spiritual Practices to help us draw closer to God
On Sunday I talked about seeking God’s face.  This can be more than an attitude, it can become a spiritual discipline or practice. There’s lots of ways we can draw closer to God.  Another practice to consider is turning our hands up to God at various times and praying like the Canaanite woman, “Lord, help me” (Matt 15:25) or with blind Bartimaeus, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mk 10:47). Or we might consider meditatively praying the Lord’s Prayer morning, noon, and evening. The verse “Give us this day our daily bread” will seem more relevant than ever. Perhaps as we take in news updates, we could imagine presenting the need or concern found in it to Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father. Additionally, short prayers of lament can aid us in bringing our loss, anger, and confusion to God: “How long, O Lord?” (Ps 13:2), “Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?” (Ps 10:1), “Come quickly, Lord, to help me” (Ps 40:13), “Lord, have mercy on us,” (Matt 20:21), and “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matt 26:39). These are not practices that are meant to take us out of the moment. Instead, they are practices that allow us to remain in the moment in a faithful, redemptive, life-giving way and that helps us walk closer to God.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris