Nurses Christian Fellowship - Canada
Atlantic NCF Link: May 2007
Contents |
Letter from the Editor
Betty Hitchcock
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. What a wonderful loving God we have. One who loves us so dearly, that He gave His only Son, that we have an eternal life with Him. I recently heard a wonderful message on the meaning of the outstretched arms of Christ on the cross saying “I love you”, “I forgive you” and “I welcome you”. What a beautiful thought! We have just passed Mother’s Day and some of the content in this issue of the Link relates to the influence and the comfort of Mothers. I was particularly struck by the message from Flo Burk’s daughter Heather on “Obedience”. It presents such a clear picture of a mother, who in her own grief, was listening to her heavenly Father and providing a Christian home for her four children in obedience to Him. A mother’s deepest love gives a glimmer of what the love of God is like. Let us rest in that love, and know the comfort of His arms holding us securely.
Betty Hitchcock
Loved with everlasting love, Led by grace that love to know;
Spirit breathing from above, thou hast taught me, it is so!
Oh, this full and perfect peace! Oh, this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine.
Things that once were wild alarms, Cannot now disturb my rest;
Closed in everlasting arms, Pillowed on the loving breast.
Oh, to lie forever here, doubt and care, and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear --- I am His and He is mine.
Nursing in Scotland….Almost
Bev White
The following was sent from Bev White, a former chair of the Atlantic NCF Committee, now living and working in Scotland with her husband and two sets of twins!
Greetings from Edinburgh, Scotland. As some of you may know, my family and I moved to Edinburgh last September as my husband is doing his PhD at the university here. We are really enjoying this fine city and country. I thought I would write a bit about my experience thus far with nursing in a foreign country; having said this, I have just received word on an interview time and have yet to start working.
My experience started with an English test back in Canada. Yes, an English test! As a requirement for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of the United Kingdom, I was required to take the International English Language Testing Score exam which cost a fair bit to write. So even though English is my mother tongue and I completed my entire nursing degree in English, I was required to take a test before making my application for registration! Interesting, huh?
So I was able to take the test before coming to Scotland and then once here I continued the process of gaining registration. There were numerous forms to fill in and send back to my university, my registering body in NB and NS, my former employers, etc. As these all had to go across the ocean and back, it has seemed a very lengthy process. I finally heard word this month that I have been granted registration to work as an RN here. However, I now need to take a 20 day overseas nursing course to learn about the health care system here and all the nuances of nursing in Scotland. So I am in the midst of applications and interviews at the closest hospital here with hopes of working one or two days per week in the CCU.
Through all this, we have come to thank God on many fronts. First, that I have been called to a profession which allows me to work anywhere in the world. Since, although it takes a long time to gain registration, nurses are needed in the hospitals here as they are in much of Canada. Secondly, we are thankful for this time that I have had to get my family settled. Our older boys (now 4 ½) go to nursery school, which is like preschool, every morning. They settled in very nicely and really enjoy their school. Our younger twins (2 last Oct.) and I have made many friends at various playgroups throughout our city. We have been able to make friends with other families and this has helped us all in this transition.
And finally, we are thankful that soon I will be able to get work so we can have a little financial assistance here.
All in all, we are truly thankful that God has not only led us here but that he has continued to sustain us over the past 6 months. We have found a great church which is a 5 minute walk away, we live in a terrific housing complex with many other families so our children have instant playmates, and we have great connections with our friends and family back home through our webcam and phone calls.
I hope you are all doing well and enjoying where God has placed you. And that if you have a desire to travel, you will look us up and consider a trip to our fine city! We love to entertain and to see people from home! I hope to have something to write about actually nursing here soon.
Blessings on you all,
Beverly White
MESSAGE - OBEDIENCE
Flo Burke
The following message on obedience was submitted by Flo Burke and comes from a message her daughter gave at her church on Mother’s Day in 2005. [Flo’s husband died young, leaving her with four small children]
To be obedient is to “do what one is told…or to be …. willing to obey” which is again why I am standing here now, I believe God has directed or told me to bring a message today and I am both willingly complying and at the same time making a choice i.e. to obey Him.
In 1st John 3: vs 11, 16-19 and 24, John was both clear and direct of what God has told us or commanded us to do.. [READ]
Notes: 11 & 16 the focus is on loving one another, to lay down our lives as Christ did for us, ‘to love others more than ourselves, Jesus gave us the ultimate example of love when He died for us]. The vision God has been given, for Grace, to build her and her family a new home is such an example of love.
To go on, in vs 17 &18, to give what is needed, Let us love not with words or tongue but with actions and in truth [It is not enough to just say what you believe – you need to live it, to act it our]
Vs. 24 For those who obey His commands, live in Him and He in them.
Example, this past week, I was driving home in the early evening – just myself and the kids, and I noticed a lady limping and carrying a bag in either hand. She was heading from Windsor to Falmouth. At the same time, I saw her struggling, God was saying “pick her up- stop, and pick her up” In my head, I was thinking, I don’t know her, I need to get home, I have the kids with me etc. It was like my eyes were seeing her as Christ sees us and it was as simple as “just stop and ask, that is all I ask of you.” So I did. I was willingly listening to God and I had a choice to stop and ask or keep going. I choose to stop and ask [I’m glad I did, I believe it was an example God wanted me to share today in this message].
I want to skip over to the 2nd scripture, Luke, 6: 46-49
46: Lord means Master, to acknowledge Him as Lord/Master is not enough, one needs to listen and obey Him.
For those who obey, vs 47 comes to me [you need to willingly seek
God], to hear His words [to be actively listening] and then you have a
choice to obey by putting words into practice or action. When you do
this, what happens is that you have laid your foundation on rock, your
house will stand firm and not be swept away.
And of course in vs. 49 for those who hear God and do not put the
words into action or practice, but instead building their life on what
they think to be best, the house will not stay firm.
My Mom is an example of building her foundation on Christ and choosing obedience to Him…
Heather’s poem follows ………
Foundations
A family resting on a foundation.
It’s cornerstone………..Christ.A cry borne out of sorrow with grief overwrought
For what was six, is now five.A void and abundant cracks, now filtering through.
A structure in much need, of mending and caring.The oozing hearts thought to heal.
Were sowed stitch, by stitch coupled with love.
A women now dependent on God, the god above.As our home became open, to Friday night prayer times and bible studies a many,
And Sunday dinners complimented by the colorful guests
Bricks were placed in the void and layers of support were made.Welcoming friendly strangers with sleeping bags in tow
No room to walk….Yet so much freedom.
Family camps, junior camps and senior camps in all.
As much as a break for her and for us.
Each stitch was drawn taunt and secure.And so examples of all were shown to the four
By the loving mother so cautious but footings sure.
The lasting example was not easily disguised
Instead, it was left op-en and wide.The foundation, the part on which other parts rest,
The foundation of life, its cornerstone…Christ.
Explanation: In a home that could have been filled with many things, [depression after my Dad died}, a turning away from God and turning to alchol, boyfriends etc. – My Mom instead sought God, was willing to to listen to Him, and choose to obey Him by putting words into actions [through Friday night Bible studies, prayer times, inviting strangers over for Sunday dinners, opening our home up if people needed a place to stay, etc. Not only did she build her “house on a solid foundation” but she set the example for all of us kids.
To sum up, a seeking of God, a willingness to listen to His words [i.e. to love one another] and finally to put them into practice [by making a choice and putting the words into action and practice]. All of this builds your foundation on Christ. A willingness, a choice to obey or not, need to have a foundation, and the result – spirit of truth and love.
Comfort
“As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.” – Isaiah 66:13a
Do you remember the comfort of your mother? Can you still feel the warmth and love that she gave to you? One of the first things we learn from our earthly mothers is the feeling of love and comfort – the security of being held in loving arms. Our heavenly Father is able to give that same comfort to us as adults, if we let Him.
When did you experience the feeling of comfort from a loving parent? Had you scraped your knee? Had a friend disappointed you? Had you lost or broken a favorite toy? Think of the situation – then -try to remember the comfort of being held by a loving parent. Now multiply that feeling many times over and you will approach the feeling of being held by the Father in Heaven.
Have you experienced that feeling? When? God is there always, ready to reach out and take us in His loving arms. – Many of us experience this comfort when we have a difficult time in life, a serious illness, the loss of a loved one, a relationship gone wrong, but do you realize God wants us to start and finish every day like that – he wants to hold us in all of life, to give us the love and comfort we need to face our day and be able to pass it on to others. Try spending the first few moments of your day in His loving arms, and refreshing that feeling many times throughout the day by remembering who holds us and allowing His comfort and love to embrace us in all that we do.
As you read this piece, ask God to hold you in His loving arms and experience afresh the comfort and security of the most loving parent. GOD LOVES YOU.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW NATIONAL NCF DIRECTOR
A warm welcome to Carol Hamilton, our new Canadian NCF Director. Carol lives in Stratford Ontario and joined the staff of Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship in April. Carol has worked in the nursing profession in a variety of roles and also has a Master of Divinity and served in the Presbyterian denomination. Carol says ‘Nurses Christian Fellowship is poised to be a pivotal force within the nursing profession in Canada. I am very excited about the opportunities I will have to meet with those who have contributed so much to this mission, but I desire to see the work of NCF Canada expanded and invigorated – this is my hope!” Commenting on the importance of this ministry, Carol said, “It is time for nurses to be supported and empowered to be the hands and feet of Christ within the healthcare system. I feel honoured to walk in the footsteps of Anne Hawes and others who have devoted years to the life and work of Nurses Christian Fellowship in Canada.” Geri Rodman, President of IVCF Canada asks that nurses welcome Carol with a note or email, pray for her as she begins this important work and consider financial support. Carol will be traveling across Canada to work with nurses and NCF in her new position. Carol’s address is PO Bos 1057, Stratford, ON, N5A 6W4 Phone 1 800 668 9766 and email chamilton {at} ivcf {dot} ca.
THE ATLANTIC NCF COMMITTEE
The Atlantic NCF committee will be meeting in Moncton on Saturday June 16. Please pray for the meeting. We would also ask that you pray about what God might have you do to support the work of the Atlantic committee. If you could like more information or feel led to come as an observer or explore the possibility of joining this committee, please contact the chair person – Marg Winchester at 506 8482116, or email jawin {at} nbnet {dot} nb.ca. Marg would be happy to hear from you.
THE NATIONAL NCF COMMITTEE
This group will be meeting in Ontario the last weekend of May. Please pray for them as they discuss the work of Nurses Christian Fellowship on a national level.
Prayer for Family
Merciful Saviour, who didst love Martha and Mary and Lazarus, hallowing their home with thy sacred presence; Bless, we beseech thee, our home, that thy love may rest upon us. May we all grow in grace and in the knowledge of thee, our Lord and Saviour. Teach us to love one another as thou hast given commandment. Help us to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill thy law, O blessed Jesus, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for evermore. Amen.
And for Children
O Lord Jesus Christ, who did take little children into thine arms, and bless them; Bless, we beseech thee, the children of this family; grant that they may grow up in thy fear and love; give unto them day by day thy strength and guidance, so they may continue in thy love and service unto their lives’ end. Grant this, O blessed Saviour, for thine own Name’s sake. Amen.