“May Your ways be known throughout the earth,
Your saving power among people everywhere.”
Psalm 67:2 New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, copyright 2007

But, if God’s people – we, who know His “ways” and have experienced His “saving power” – don’t tell the stories, how will “people everywhere” know what He has done, and is doing?

Folks can share their stories verbally within their circle of relatives, friends, and acquaintances, and some do. But what about the wider audience?

What about all the stories of God’s comfort, power, healing, and the every day sustaining and upholding to get a person through one day at a time when their world is crumbling all about them? What about when God steps in and goes to bat for us?

Some people are too shy or embarrassed to tell the stories of what God has done for them. Others just don’t see it until they look back on their life. Others need friends and objective onlookers to tell them how they see God working.

On the whole writers and editors are very observant people. They notice things. And often they imagine the story around it.

♦  The loud, flamboyant person at work who always seems to be the centre of attention.

♦  An attendee who always keeps to himself and sits in the seat closest to the door at church.

♦  The house in your area that goes up for sale every two or three years.

Is your imagination churning yet?

We have been given this gift from God for a purpose. We have a responsibility to use that gift. For some of us we need to use our gift to tell stories of what God has done. Some of us need to tell our own stories. Some of us need to tell the stories of others. And maybe not just one story, but many.

Let me tell you a story.

Did that get your attention? Are you interested? Do you want to listen?

Whether the story is an article, a poem, a short story, a memoir, a novel, a play, or whatever, it can tell a tale of God, a tale of what He is doing – in a life, a family, a community – in our world.

What’s your story?

We’re all in this together.

© 2010 Denise Rumble

Did you hear the latest about our Canadian money? It's going plastic! It will take a while to get used to this difference between our general legal tender and Canadian Tire tender.

Jim Flaherty announced this upcoming change during his budget speech in the House of Commons yesterday. You can read all about it here.

I guess we won't have to worry about the bills going through the washing machine in our pants pocket anymore. And, they're supposed to last longer, the physical bills I mean, not the money in our pocket.

Will we still be able to crumple our money? It's always a treat to find an unexpected $5 bill crumpled up in the bottom of a purse, a pocket, or shoved down the side of the couch.

Years ago I knew an owner of a local restaurant. He always very carefully smoothed out all the bills – unfolding corners, taping up the rips, and making the pile as flat, neat and tidy as he could – before taking it to the bank for deposit. I guess he won't be doing that anymore.

We've seen a lot of changes in our currency over the years. Do you remember $1and $2 bills?

Regardless of the alterations and updates money is still money. We can still use bills to make purchases. The function is still the same.

It's the same with the publishing industry. Many things have changed. And, changes are continuing. But, in spite of all that, writers will still write, editors will still edit and people will still read. New technologies and new ideas bring new and exciting opportunities.

It's reported that the new plastic bills will not be flame retardant, but will be very durable.

Hmm, and maybe that's what we need to be, durable – tough, strong and resilient. And open to flame – the flame of the Holy Spirit as He works through us for the glory of God.

We're all in this together.

© 2010 Denise Rumble

Just imagine what it would be like to be on the podium, receiving the gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics. I fill up with tears just watching a Canadian receive their medal and listening to our national anthem. And, I'm pleased that we still sing – officially – "God keep our land glorious and free."

I was listening to the broadcasters the other night and they were discussing a new phenomenon. Stephen Brunt, columnist at the Globe and Mail, and Brian Williams were discussing a video report that Brunt did. Williams said that in all his years of reporting on the Olympics he has never experienced the rampant national pride that is erupting all over Vancouver, the various Olympic venues, and in other places across the country – wherever people were gathering to watch the games.

They agreed that, yes, there is always cheering for Canada and pride during any Olympic Games, or important sporting event, but that this was different – bigger, louder, bolder, more confident. People gathering in the streets, sporting Canada's colours, waving the flag, cheering for Canada, and groups of people spontaneously breaking out into song – the "O Canada" song. It's like our feelings of patriotism have been bottled up inside us for many years, fermenting, and finally, it has blown the cork. Our characteristic national shyness has slipped and we're ready to show the world that we are Canadian, and proud of it.

Shani Davis (American gold medallist in 1000m Long Track Speed Skating) was asked "what about the immense Canadian patriotism that has been shown here in Vancouver over the last few days?" Shani replied, "I didn't know that Canadians were this patriotic. I thought Americans were more – not even close! Your athletes and the way you guys just fuel everyone to do the best they can, and give them that unconditional love and support – it's truly amazing and I'm happy that the Canadians have it (the 2010 Olympics) and they enjoy it the way they do – very special."

Really? An American is telling Canadians that we are more patriotic than citizens in the United States? I must say that comment took me aback. The United States, where folks drape their flags in their windows, on their porches, wherever, for all to see. The country that seems aggressive in promoting itself and its beliefs – that U.S.?

Canada's relationship with the U.S. has been compared to a mouse sleeping beside an elephant. The mouse is overshadowed by the elephant. It is affected by every breath, shudder and movement of the larger animal. And that is how it often feels to me – we are overshadowed by "American." Where do the majority of the movies and TV shows come from? The fads and fashion that tell us what to wear, eat, drink, and how to act? The books that help shape our beliefs of society, normalcy, religion and life.

Now, I'm not picking on the Americans. I don't have anything against them. As a matter of fact I have some very good friends, and some relatives, who were born and bred and live in the United States – and I like them.

It is a fact that the U.S. has about 10 times the population of Canada. Just that fact alone means that they have more – more athletes, more news, more movies, more TV shows, more books, more opinions, more churches, more… well, everything.

But, Canada doesn't have to stay in the shadow of the elephant. It can step out of the shadow. And, if what Williams and Brunt say is true, it sounds like the mouse has woken up and begun to roar.

You see, Canadians are not Americans. For all that we share a lot of the same food, fashion, cars and so on, we are different.

Every country has its own history, experiences and weather – which all play a part in shaping the country, and defining its culture.

Canadians – polite, unassuming, humble, peace keepers, talented. I'm sorry, did I miss something?

Who knows the Canadian culture as well as a Canadian? Who understands the Canadian mind? Who cares about the Canadian heart. Who can tell our Canadian stories best?

And that's where we come in.

We're all in this together.

© 2010 Denise Rumble

“I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary….”

It is this miracle that we celebrate at Christmas, not only the miracle of a Virgin birth but the miracle that God, in Jesus, would come here, to earth, at all.

From His home, Heaven, a perfect place. A place where God is obeyed, loved, worshipped – perfectly. No sin. No restrictions of time or space.

To our home, Earth, a far-from-perfect place. A place where God is questioned; disobeyed to grudgingly obeyed to sometimes obeyed; hated, loved from guilt or duty, and sometimes for Himself; worshipped stingily, resentfully, out of duty and guilt, and sometimes from the heart – imperfectly. Full of sin – it is the norm. Restrictions of time and space and more.

He came exactly because we need Him, whether we admit it, or know it, or not. He came because He loves us – not because of who we are or what we can do for Him, but because He just does. Love so vast He left a perfect place to enter a sin-filled world. He lived as we live, suffered what we suffer, experienced life as we do. And then He allowed Himself to be tortured and nailed to a cross to die. He, who hates sin, allowed our sin to be put on Him. Why? Because He wants to have a relationship with each one of us – now. He wants us to come and live with Him in Heaven – in the future. He loves us with a love we cannot comprehend – always.

The Creator of the Universe and everything in it, and us. The Great I AM. The Prince of Peace.

The helpless babe with ordinary, common parents. God sleeping in a feeding trough, animals and dung the backdrop.

This is the One we celebrate. This is the One we worship. Our Saviour. Our Shepherd. God with us.

We’re all in this together – with Him.

© 2009 Denise Rumble

What does Jesus say about prayer?

Matt 21:22 "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

And Paul tells us:

Phil 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

1 Thess 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (all Scripture from NKJV)

It's a privilege to come before the Father with our worship, praise and requests. It's a blessing to pray, to share one another’s burdens and come together, in spirit.

Today is a Day of Prayer for The Word Guild. By purposefully marking this day our aim is to have prayers raised around the clock. Whether folks pray for a specific period of time or “as the Spirit moves them” or on and off throughout the day as they think of it matters not. What does matter is that they do pray.

God has blessed The Word Guild and we continue to need His guidance, His wisdom and His direction as we move ahead. The challenges and opportunities are many. Our God is able. We’re all this together.

© 2009 Denise Rumble

Let’s pretend that, quite unexpectedly, you have to move from your house of 15 years within two weeks, and all the professional movers are fully booked. How do you feel?

I’d feel drained, stressed, and overwhelmed. How do you do it while maintaining your job? Where do you get all the packing boxes? I have trouble packing my groceries in the most efficient way, so how on earth am I going to pack up an entire house? Books, files, all my writing notes, manuscripts, research…did I mention books? Furniture, clothes, all the stuff from the kitchen cupboards…and tons more.

Then a friend calls. “I’m coming over Saturday to help you pack.” I start to feel a little better; at least I have someone to share the misery.

But what if he shows up with ten more friends, each ready and eager to help?

All of a sudden I’m energized and hopeful. I feel a tremendous amount of relief, happiness and lightness of spirit.

Why? Because all the responsibility and work is not on my shoulders any more. Because I don’t have to be the “expert” for every step. Because I have others working alongside me. Because it originally felt like sure failure, but now it feels like, “Yes, we can do this!”

It’s called “working together.” It’s called “strength in numbers.” It’s called community. And that's what The Word Guild is all about.

We're all in this together.

© 2009 Denise Rumble