Tracy's Blog

Yes.... it has been awhile.  The main reason for my lack of blogging has been starting a full-time job at the women's shelter where I have worked casual for the last 3 years and a move (within the City of Selkirk).  Now that we are settled and I am getting used to my routine, I'm hoping to start blogging regularly again. What motivated me to sit down and write tonight?  Bedtime Bible reading with Tim.  I read a familiar passage - the feeding of the five thousand ( Luke 9:10-17 ).  As I read it to Tim, I was struck afresh by the amazing provision of God for His servants.   The apostles were validly concerned for the crowd.  They needed food.  So, they assessed the situation and took the logical step: tell Jesus what to do.  Why is this logical?  Well, they saw the problem (hungry people) and say the solution (send them to villages and farms to get food) and they knew how to get the message communicated (get Jesus to tell them s...

The Bible is full of characters.  People whose lives would get many viewers if they were on a reality TV show.  Jacob is one of these.  A swindler and usurper, Jacob deceives his own father to steal the blessing of his older twin brother, Esau.  In haste and fearing for his life, he takes off to his uncle's place where he ends up meeting and falling in love with his cousin.  Unfortunately, tradition prevails and when he wakes up on the morning after the wedding, he is in for a surprise.  As the Bible puts it: "In the morning.... It was Leah!"   He does get to marry the younger sister Rachel as well but jealousy and a competitive spirit mark their home.  Between the sisters and their servants, Jacob fathers 11 sons and 1 daughter.  But there is trouble with his uncle's sons.... they think Jacob is tricking their Dad out of their inheritance as Jacob's flocks increase more than their. So he is on the run again, this time he goes back home. Bu...

(Adapted from a sermon I wrote for today.) Have you heard? Action Comics #1 will be auctioned on eBay from August 14 to 24. Why is this a big deal? Well, this specific comic – issue #1 is considered the beginning of superhero comics. Which has lead to superhero toys, movies, and even backpacks and lunch kits. This is the comic that introduced Superman to the world. Guess how much it cost when it was released in 1938..... 10 Cents. Guess how much they expect this one to go for? Well, how about I tell you that the last issue of this same comic that was auctioned off and was in near perfect condition went for $2.16 million in 2011. Since this one is in even better condition – still has all white pages – the 2.16 million one had some yellowing pages... well, some think it will go for even more than that! Imagine spending 2 or 2.5 or 3 million dollars on a comic?! Is Action Comics #1 – the comic where Superman first appeared - The pearl of great price? Is it worth s...

  " May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 2 Corinthians 13:14 This was part of the Epistle reading for last Sunday - the Sunday in which we celebrate and adore the Trinity.  It's a wonderful verse because we see all three Persons of the Trinity (if we take "God" to be "God the Father") and some of the wonderful gifts that the Trinity shares with us.  I have not studied much on the Trinity but I know that the emphasis on Trinitarian theology of the last number of years has helped individually-minded Christians (like me!) repent of independence and consider our place in the Body of Christ - that we are interdependent and united.  We are one in Christ even though we have so many differences. This move from Trinitarian theology to Ecclesiology (theology of Church) motivated me to take a second look at this verse from 2 Corinthians.  Often when I hear ...

Wondering what is on my mind by the title of this week's blog?  I'll give you three hints: 1. John 7:37-39 2. John 3:7-8 3. Acts 2:1-4 If you said, "The Holy Spirit," you are correct!  Or maybe you said,  "Tracy is thinking about how elements of the physical world are used as symbols of the Holy Spirit in Scripture.  She is also wondering what that means for our lives and how we could remember to walk in the Spirit in the midst of our summer days spent in the water, feeling the wind, and sitting by camp fires." If you did, you have me figured out! It is starting to feel like summer in Manitoba and with that comes more socializing (possibly many hot dogs roasted over fires), time at the beach with the sun in our eyes and the wind on our faces, and, hopefully, a more laid back pace of life.  But the change of weather and lifestyle doesn't mean that we are any less dependent on God's Spirit for the love, power, and strength to ...

We are over half way between celebrating the Ascension of Christ (May 29) and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (June 8).  I went to an Ascension service last week and was surprised when the priest started to talk about the coming of the Spirit.  "Hey!" I thought, "Isn't this service about Jesus' exaltation as Lord over everything?"  As in the Collect we had already prayed: "Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord."  (BAS page 343) But then the priest brought us to John 16:7 "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you.  But if I go, I will send him to you." So, the Ascension and Pentecost are inextricably linked.  This turned my thoughts to when I first became aware of my need for the Holy Spirit in my life.  Interestingly, it was right at the same time that I...

With a title like that, you may be wondering how I am doing.  Life has been quite good recently.  I am enjoying spring - particularly that I haven't seen a mosquito yet!  For some reason, however, I have been having difficultly sitting down to blog.  I have too many ideas but none are well enough formed.  So I thought I would share with you the verse that has been lingering in my mind over the last two weeks: John 16:33 (ESV)  Jesus says, "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world." I'm not even sure how I ended up at this verse.  I was having a grumpy day and needed to remember that trouble/trials/tribulation are a normal part of life.  Jesus says I will have them.... why would I expect differently?  I was never one to have an accepting attitude to suffering.  One of my main responses to things not going wel...