Category Archives: Ways to Grow articles

Growing through Pilgrimage and our roots: Ways to Grow in God

Posted on May 8, 2014 | 3 comments

By Laurie-Ann Copple

Christian+Pilgrim+Groups+Travel+Holy+Island+XcHzicrmNDWl

During our journey on worship, we discovered that our faith grows when we realize that worship is bigger than its cultural context. We also grow deeper in faith when we learn how to worship God in Spirit and in truth (John 4: 23 – 24). Yet we need not restrict worship to be within a ‘religious service.’ Our whole lifestyle can involve worship. If worship is at the very core of our lifestyle, our relationship with God can grow in any location. This includes the workplace. Worship, ministry, secular work can all become places of transformation. Work and ministry become deeper and this gives God an opportunity to make the work really matter.

You can also worship God inside you no matter what you are doing, and this is a real secret of contentment. Worshipping God in truth also means that you are are truthful about who you are. Once you realize, deep within you, who God is to you (as your Father), you can choose to worship Him without issues getting in the way. The ‘baggage’ needs to be left behind as we are called to go and examine our roots – as Christians; to the Holy Land, and as Anglicans; to Canterbury. Christians of other denominations could also visit the spots of where their denominational stream started; especially if their church began in renewal, revival or inspiration. Mission sites and revival spots from church history are special places to learn about the lives and stories of faithful Christians who have gone before us. However, the Holy Land often surpasses them all – the land where the Old Testament and much of the New is steeped.

While I have not yet been to Jerusalem, I have been to four special pilgrimage places in the UK. I would love to go to more places, but they may come later. Meanwhile, Lindisfarne remains the strongest of those places in my own life. Lindisfarne , also known as Holy Island, is on the north east coast of England.

There are many classic books on pilgrimage. Two of these are Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, and John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress. Although we live in a western post-Christian society with shrinking church membership, the interest in pilgrimage has increased exponentially even among non-Christians, who are interested in the journey experience. Some of these journeys include Jerusalem, the Camino trail in northern Spain, as well as the Roman Catholic journeys to Lourdes, Fatima, and sites in Ireland. I’ve been drawn to Lindisfarne Holy Island since I was a teenager and I have found it my special ‘thin’ place. This means that the Holy Spirit is as close as a breath away, as are special saints Aidan and Cuthbert. Others with Celtic background may be drawn to Iona, in western Scotland, which was founded by St. Columba from Ireland.

Others have been drawn to see places where the Apostle Paul preached which include numerous sites in what is now Turkey and Greece. Others cannot afford to go to the Holy Land or even Europe. So, there is an option of a ‘virtual pilgrimage.’ Virtual pilgrimages may include the Virtual Holy Land walk at Bethesda Renewal Centre in Ashton, Ontario. This walk follows a similar shape of route (if viewed from above) to the Apostle Paul’s second missionary journey. There is also a theme park in Orlando, Florida called the Holy Land Experience. Why do people feel drawn to these holy places? What do people hope to glean from them?

When I first visited western Ireland in 1990, I fell in love with the atmosphere of County Clare, and the little village of Kilfenora. I found a tiny Anglican Church that was in ruins, but they still held a service, which I attended. They had an ancient high cross nearby in the middle of a sheep field. I drew that lovely scene, and I showed the photos and my drawing to the pastor I had at the time. His name was Laurie. When he viewed my photos, he smiled and quoted Joshua 4:21, which was when the Israelite children asked what ‘those stones meant.’ (This was concerned the memorial crossing of the Jordan river into the Promised Land).   Laurie referred to the ruined stones (of the old church and the high cross) as a monument. It became a place of learning about our deep historical faith. He was right; the place was of special significance for the area of County Clare. The biblical leader Joshua reminds his people about these Gilgal memorial stones when he said, “In the future, when your descendants ask their fathers ‘what do these stones mean,’ tell them Israel crossed the Jordan on dry land.” We, like those ancient Israelite children, are also drawn to our spiritual roots. This is a good thing, since God may draw us deeper to Himself, if we prepare our hearts for the journey.

I have always loved church history. So when I have journeyed on each of my pilgrimages, I have gained a deep appreciation for the work of God throughout history. God is always the same, yesterday, today and forever. He blesses his children throughout Biblical and church history. So when I go to these places, I keep my eyes and heart open for what God would have me sense. When my husband Tony and I were in Canterbury – the headquarters of the Anglican church, we received a deep sense of intercession for the Anglican Church. We prayed in Canterbury Cathedral Trinity Chapel, where St. Thomas à Becket’s relics are housed. Then, while we were barefoot pilgrims on the way to Lindisfarne Holy Island, I was given insight of how two historical Celtic Christians handled the difficult parts of the sea flat journey to that special island. These difficulties were taken in stride within the context of worship and rhythm of balance. I also learned that rest can be holy.

When we were in Durham Cathedral, I gave thanks for the lives of the Venerable Bede and St. Cuthbert. They were foundational for the Christian faith in northern England. Cuthbert’s tomb still is a place that inspires deep worship from the depth of your soul, since the Holy Spirit’s presence is so strong in that site. I visited what is believed to be St. Patrick’s resting place in Downpatrick Cathedral, County Down. While the local Catholics were actually praying to Patrick, I gave thanks to the Lord for a great missionary and I wanted to learn more about him. I wanted to learn not just the legend of Patrick, but who he really was, how he depended on the Lord, and how I could grow in my faith because of his example. I have always loved church history, and at one time wanted to take a doctorate in the discipline. I especially focused on the history of missions, renewals and movements for God. We can learn a lot from those who have gone before us, those Christians who are now part of the ‘great cloud of witnesses (Heb. 21:1).’ We are not alone in our faith!

The places that are left behind are testimony to their lives and how God used them to draw people closer to himself. I’m sure the Holy Land is like this, only more so, since almost every time I have asked someone who has been there, they have told me that this was a very deep experience for them. This experience of actually walking the same land where Jesus and his disciples walked is powerful. I pray that some day you too will have the experience of journeying to the deep roots of your faith. But don’t wait until you get there to prepare your hearts. Work on preparing them now, so that you receive what God has for you at that time. Our life and faith is a journey, and we are doing this together. Here is a prayer from Thomas Merton about the journey as a pilgrim:

My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me
Nor do I really know myself, And the fact that I think I am following your will
Does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you,
and I strive never to do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this, You will lead me by the right road
Though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though,
I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me. And you will never leave me to face my struggles alone.

(Thomas Merton)

Next time we will explore how the desert places can also help us grow in God.

Yours in Christ, Laurie-Ann Copple

Pilgrims on Camino

(First photo – Carrying the cross as pilgrims during low tide to Lindisfarne Holy Island.  Second photo – Part of the journey in northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago de Compostelo)

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Ways to Grow in God: Worship is not just one part of life

Posted on April 30, 2014 | Comments Off on Ways to Grow in God: Worship is not just one part of life

by Laurie-Ann Copple

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Last time we discovered that our faith grows when we learn how to worship God in Spirit and in Truth (John 4: 23 – 24). This means you can worship him through your spirit no matter what you are doing (a real secret of contentment). You have turned your heart and spirit into a temple of worship. To worship God in truth means that we are truthful about whom we are. Once you realize in your heart who God is to you, (as your Father), you can choose to worship Him without unneeded issues getting in the way.

In the ancient biblical Hebrew world view, all of life is interconnected. Our modern western world view sorts everything into compartments. The Bible world-view is more organic and natural. Worship doesn’t have to be divided into religious services, although celebrations, solemn assemblies and times with other believers is a very good thing. Yet it should not be the only time we worship. We can worship God in the midst of beauty – and enjoy creation. After all it is in a sense, one of the ways that he is known (Romans 1:20). The Psalmist notes that the heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1-6), and songs such as Brian Doeksen’s “Creation Calls” remind us that creation reflects his glory. With this in mind, it can be easy to worship God outside of a service in what many people call ‘the green cathedral.’

However, you can also worship God in the midst of work. The worlds of work and worship don’t have to be separate. This work can be ordinary, everyday tasks like doing dishes. I spent at least one mission trip where I was called to wash dishes (as well as lead worship, prayer and work with teens on a British army base). I washed dishes in Northern Ireland for three weeks. Washing dishes isn’t my favourite task, but I had a dream that I was officially asked to wash dishes and lead worship in a ministry base. Word spread in this small community about my dream, and people realized that God had sent me and that he loved them! And so did I! I worshipped the Lord and sang my heart out in that kitchen – or at least hummed and worshipped in my heart. I was worshipping God in the midst of an ordinary task, like 17th century Brother Lawrence teaches in Practising the Presence of God. I was physically in Northern Ireland, but my heart/spirit is in heaven with Jesus – in two places. This is what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote, “we are ‘seated’ in heavenly places (Eph 2:6).”

Can worship be involved in other ministry? Yes! Worship of the Lord should be at the heart of ministry towards others. After all, we are the hands and feet of Jesus – we are the Body of Christ. He ministers through us. So we must be rooted and grounded in God, and filled with his love and compassion. We can’t minister in our own power – it must be his love, not just ours. We simply are too frail on our own. Recently, I was watching Heidi Baker minister in a church service online. It was the Sunday following the Women on the Frontlines conference in Phoenix, Arizona (March 2014). Heidi shared of the importance of spending time in worship with the Lord. That precious time is like the oil of the wise virgins (Matt 25: 1-11). Remember what the Lord tells the foolish virgins (who didn’t have their oil)? “Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ This means they did not spend TIME with him.

When we spend that time with him, we are able to minister in the Holy Spirit’s power, but also with the love and compassion of Christ himself. This has happened with me on the mission field as well – I have spent time in soaking prayer before the Lord. He has been gracious to fill me each time with love and peace for myself and much more for others. But it was most important just to spend time with God for who he is. We need to be like Jesus with skin on for those who are needy. Sometimes we have seen Jesus in others, and sometimes he is evident in us.

When I attended another women’s conference in Phoenix (January 2010), that same Heidi Baker approached me in the midst of the worship time. She was filled with love, and it was like I was looking at Jesus through her beautiful, loving face. She hugged and kissed me, and handed me a beautiful bouquet of red roses. We didn’t speak, but I sensed that God was touching me very deeply through Heidi’s gesture. I was told by her helpers that those were her roses, but she was led right to me to give them to me. I’m still unpacking what that meant. But in a sense, it was like she was passing on a mantle to me – since I really felt akin to her in missionary ways. That call is becoming clearer with time. Fast forward four years to the Sunday service where Heidi shared about the oil being the time with God. This is a lady who spends four to six hours daily in deep worship. She said that she receives best when she worships lavishly with the Lord and feels badly when she needs more time with him. But the Holy Spirit spoke to her heart that when she is holding a dying child or ministering to a lonely widow, she is also worshipping him. This is another aspect of Matthew 25 (Unto the least of these!). So worship and ministry are definitely interconnected.

Could one worship and work in a secular workplace? You bet! The Apostle Paul encourages us to pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17), and if we follow Brother Lawrence in practising the presence of God, we are doing this. We can hum worship songs while we work, and at times, we can even pray in tongues under our breath. But how about using our secular work as an opportunity for pastoral care and mercy?   There are times when acts of kindness speak deeply of God’s compassion. Customer service as a retail worker can become pastoral care. Personal financial planning done by a compassionate, conscientious Christian can be an opportunity for pastoral care and evangelism. Reformer Martin Luther believed that secular work could be a lay person’s calling, as important as that of a member of the clergy.

A layperson’s job is not something separate from faith, any more than hands are separate from mind and heart. Devoted work is the very flesh and bone of living faith, without which worship cannot live and grow. Whateveryou do, wherever you minister, you are called to serve Christ where you are. The Apostle Paul reminds us that ‘Whatever you do, whether in speech or in action, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus’ (Col. 3:17). Quite often, these folk minister through divine opportunities, and of course can also be a good witness by their presence. Remember what Paul told the Christian slaves: “Obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,  since you know that you will receive an inheritancefrom the Lord as a reward. (Col 3:22-24) While we aren’t slaves, we are bound to our employers to give our very best. And when we go beyond that, it points to the Lord.

Some of you may be called to be a ‘tentmaker.’ A tentmaker is a layperson who works as a volunteer for the church – either in missions or work inside the church, but they are supported by a job outside the church.This is what Paul did when he travelled on his missionary trips. Though he was a trained leader, he made tents to pay his way wherever he went. This is a special calling. This work that is done for the Lord is a gift to Him, which he honours. Though God will work through all of us, these lay people are available to do ministry in ways that full-time professional people cannot. The professional people have to minister within their jobs. Clergy are in ministry too, but they are committed to a certain kind of ministry, which includes encouraging you in your own ministry. They can’t go out like you can… and we lay people have an advantage: since we are volunteer, the people receive our ministry as a gift. It is a beautiful, sweet smelling gift that Jesus accepts, and the people receive.

It is how we minister and how we choose to use our gifts that matters. We have the same Holy Spirit, but how we touch others is unique to you and the Lord. The Apostle “Paul chose how he ministered the gospel.” [R Paul Stevens Liberating the Laity: Equipping All the Saints for Ministry. Downer’s Grove, Il: IV Press, 1985. p 42] He sacrificed being paid for his ministry, he sacrificed his time to love people into the kingdom of God. He sacrificed some of his sleep and ministry time for his job so that he could give himself as a gift. “All genuine ministry comes out of sacrifice.” [Elton Trueblood. Your Other Vocation. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1952. p. 59]. So also true work and true ministry comes out of worship.

Next time I will share how we can grow in God through pilgrimage.

Yours in Christ,
Laurie-Ann Copple

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Growing through worship: in Spirit and in Truth

Posted on March 27, 2014 | 13 comments

spirit truth

by Laurie-Ann Copple

Last time we discovered that we can grow in God through worship. It doesn’t matter which cultural form or style you choose. Worship isn’t just singing hymns or praise songs. It’s an attitude of the heart. Worship includes the work that God is doing in you while you worship Him. It is there that we discover how to worship in spirit and in truth, as Jesus asks us to do in John 4: 23 – 24.

What does it mean to worship in spirit? I had wondered about what that really means until I attended a conference called the Glory School. We learned what heavenly worship is like. We also discovered what God’s heart was toward all humankind – even those who refuse to know and love him. I became fascinated with the truth that as Christians, our spirits are already worshipping in heaven while our bodies are here on earth. We are three-part beings that are made in the image of God. If your spirit is alive in him, you are in a sense, with him. This means we can worship God in the midst of doing ordinary things, like 17th century Brother Lawrence teaches in Practising the Presence of God. We are in two places. This is what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote, “we are ‘seated’ in heavenly places (Eph 2:6).” In a sense we are already part of a heavenly choir, much bigger than any church choir or worship team.

What is this “three-part being?” We are! We have a physical body, a soul (mind, emotions and will), and we have a spirit: the part of us that is touched by God and filled with his Spirit. When we love Jesus, our spirits are connected to God and united with Him. Our soul has a choice to be involved, and we can decide not to worship God at that time, but this grieves Him. We’re not as close as we could be unless we choose to say yes to him. Worshipping in spirit involves the deepest part of you, your spirit. Yet it is very special when your body and soul are also involved in worship. When you worship in your spirit, you can do other things with your body; such as working, cooking, driving (with your eyes open) and spending time with your family. You could of course be doing ministry. If you worship inside while doing ministry, it makes your outreach very special, since God works through you more effectively when you are focused on Him. It can also make it much easier to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit inside your heart, since you’re already in communication with him. It becomes a natural relational flow from you to God and from God to you. This is also the key of ‘abiding’ that Jesus refers to in John 15: 1-8. He is the vine, and we are the branches. Branches grow effortlessly when they are attached to the vine. This abiding in God gives you deep contentment. Like the Apostle Paul, you can become content in all things (Phil 4: 11-13) because you are focused on Jesus and know that he will never leave you.

The concept of worshipping in truth can be hard to understand at first. However, I believe it simply means to worship in truth is to be honest with God about who you are. Don’t hide anything from Him. As you get closer to God, you may see yourself as more sinful, but that is the way it should be. You just begin to see yourself as you really are – a sinner saved by grace and adopted his love. This allows you to be thankful and hungry for more of his presence. So as you realize who you are, you also realize who God is to you.

Let me explain in another way. Some people have a problem with understanding God as Father. Due to this, they have trouble worshipping him because they think of mistakes their own earthly father made. But God is not that earthly father who made those mistakes. God is pure love and is perfect. If you open yourself up and allow God to reveal Himself (so you can see how He really is), he will be able to bless you with His presence in a deep way. When we begin to realize who God is to us (even in part), and we seek the face of God in worship, we change for the better (just by allowing him to soak us with His presence and fill us with love). It’s like a sponge left in a basin of water for a while. If God is love, he fills you with his presence of love (and that is just ONE aspect of God)!

You may be familiar with Matt Redman’s song “The Heart of Worship.” Look at the words with new eyes. As you meditate on these words, ask God to help you to worship Him in spirit and in truth. “When the music fades, all is stripped away; and I simply come. Longing just to bring – something that’s of worth that will bless your heart. I’ll bring you more than a song, for a song in itself is not what you required. You search much deeper within, through the way things appear; You’re looking into my heart. I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about you, it’s all about you, Jesus. I’m sorry Lord, for the thing I made it; when it’s all about you – all about you, Jesus. King of endless worth, no one could express how much you deserve. Though I’m weak and poor, all I have is yours, every single breath.”

It’s about knowing who God is, and how you really are – a son or a daughter in Christ. And doesn’t he deserve everything we have?

Next time, we will explore further the notion that worship and ministry aren’t separated.

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Growing through worship, no matter the cultural form: Ways to Grow in God

Posted on March 1, 2014 | Comments Off on Growing through worship, no matter the cultural form: Ways to Grow in God

boy worshipping

by Laurie-Ann Copple

Last time we discovered that we grow well when trust God in the midst of suffering or difficult times. He is WITH us when we suffer. When we continually acknowledge Him in all aspects of our lives, he will direct the way we should go (Prov. 3:6).  We also grow in our faith through something far more comfortable than suffering – we can grow through worship. This growth is actually a by-product of our worship, since this adoration is directed to God. It’s not primarily for our benefit. However, we are created to be relational beings, so worshipping our creator impacts us greatly.  What kind of worshipper are you?  Are you able to worship Him in spirit and in truth?  And what exactly is worship?

Worship is something that we do naturally as humans; when we look at something or someone in absolute awe.  Worship itself should only go to God. Sometimes people or things draw our attention and are worthy of admiration, but never worship. Worship means to declare something/ someone worthy of worship. Worship should not be limited to only one cultural form of expressing your love for God.  If it is, then you may miss other forms of worship that are just as pleasing to God.  Worship isn’t just singing, but an attitude of the heart; and includes the work that God is doing in you while you worship Him.  This can include daily tasks, the arts, and so much more.

Some of you may have heard of popular English worship leader Matt Redman.  He wrote a song called “The Heart of Worship” that tells a story of an experience at his church.  Their worship music was selling well, but somehow their focus changed and the music became commercial rather than true worship.  Their church struggled for a while, and they sought the Lord on what could be wrong.  They were led by the Holy Spirit to not only give up worship music, but also music of any kind, for one year.  This must have been very difficult for a musician like Matt Redman!  During this fast, Matt learned that music is not the only way to worship God, and that they could be still before Him in quietness (somewhat like soaking prayer without the music).  When they were allowed to play music again, there was a completely different feel to it than there was before that year-long fast from music.  It was no longer a performance for the people of God, but an offering of worship to the Lord – so the music was for an audience of ONE, not many.  The lesson here is that it is easy to get caught up in what seemed to be worship of the worship music rather than the God we are worshipping. The same can be said of the style of worship music – be it hymns or praise songs. I believe that both of these are pleasing, so we don’t need to start worship wars over cultural differences. The different cultural forms of worship help US to be able to worship.

For some of us worship songs and rousing hymns are fun, but what’s going on in your heart?  Are you thinking about what you’re singing? When I was in northern Kenya, the people appeared to worship with all their heart and were physically demonstrative.  However, on our return mission two years later, the locals requested a talk on praise and worship.  I was confused about this until after prayer I understood the cultural form of their worship fooled me. To me, they sounded like singing angels with their African harmonies and percussion.  Worship is more than moving around and playing instruments, no matter how good it sounds. Worship is a heart attitude.  You can worship with no music at all, although that can be difficult to do at first.  Next time you listen or look at a worship song on the screen, think about the words.  What does this mean?  Do I mean this?

One worship scripture is very real to me: John 4:23-24.  Jesus talked to the Samaritan woman at the well and they discussed about the Messiah and worship. His words to her also speak to us as we seek to learn about what true worship is.  He said, “That true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks.  God is spirit and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.” Next time I will share what it means to worship in spirit and in truth.

Yours in Christ, Laurie-Ann Copple

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Growing through suffering and difficult times: Ways to Grow in God

Posted on February 26, 2014 | 14 comments

Suffering

by Laurie-Ann Copple

Last time we discovered that we grow well when we learn to read the Bible (by reading it for ourselves devotionally as well as learning about the history and cultures of biblical times). The Holy Spirit speaks to us through scripture that seems to jump off the page to us, just as if it’s a personal message, and we may also hear his voice at times when we remember various scripture passages just when we need them. Often personalized scripture verses are like promises to us in hard times, and in times of suffering.

We shouldn’t fear difficult times, although there is a temptation to ask Jesus to just take pain away from our lives. When I lived in north Toronto, I used to be part of a church with a strong healing prayer ministry. I also studied counseling at Tyndale Seminary and I integrated what I learned in school with the practical ministry I did at the church. Many times people approached us with deep emotional wounds and difficulties. Some wanted the pain to go away without dealing with the issues that were causing the pain – they didn’t want to deal with the root cause. In a sense, they wanted a ‘band-aid’ for the pain, and not emotional/spiritual heart surgery done gently by the Holy Spirit through prayer. While ministry team members are not counselors, sometimes the Holy Spirit jump starts a process that goes on in a pastoral or counseling office, if the person is willing to ‘go’ where the Holy Spirit is leading them. The important thing is that God is WITH them in the midst of suffering, and through the journey together, they are healed and grow. I have had many occurrences of this phenomenon in my own life, and this has taught me to not run away in the midst of pain or difficulty, but to continue to walk forward with Jesus’ help.

The same growth can happen through illness – which I have witnessed while volunteering in an oncology ward, and in the growth of a close friend while he has lived with failed hip surgeries. I have begged God many times to heal my friend so that he can get on with his life in serving God. He has struggled over seven years and will likely continue until after healing from yet another surgery. Once as I prayed for him, I sensed that God was using this time to deepen spiritual maturity and wisdom into his life. I know that God uses him to minister to others, based on the scripture 2 Cor. 1: 3-4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” My friend is does that through an online support group for people dealing with the same disease that he is working through.

Others experience their difficulties in other ways, including  persecution due to their faith in Jesus.  Throughout the world, there are persecuted Christians. More Christians died of martyrdom and persecution in the 20th century than all previous centuries combined (including the infamous Roman practice of throwing believers to starved lions). Persecution in the 21st century is escalating. I have seen some of this in the Somali community within Kenya and in my work with Pakistani Christians. In North America, this trend may be limited to name calling and political correctness in trying to silence the Christian voice of conscience in our society, but it too is getting worse.

Christians have become targets, similar to how Jewish people have been persecuted through the ages. How can people deal with this strife? When I was on a prayer journey mission in Northern Ireland, I once asked my Christian landlady about the marvelous godly quality of some of the Christians I had met in Belfast – they had a deep, sweet character and every aspect of them reminded me of Jesus. I wanted this quality and told her so. She sighed and then smiled. “There is only one way to grow in this part of your faith.” I asked, “more absolute surrender?” She replied, “No, by suffering.” That hit ‘home’, although I did not fully understand what she meant other than that difficulties refine our character as we trust God in difficult circumstances.

I again saw this quality in the Christian people of Shantinagar, a small village in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Until the past few years. Punjab has been the most stable Pakistani province with the exception of an occasional flare up of persecution. In 1997, there was a massive wave of persecution perpetrated by hundreds of angry Muslims. They attacked the churches, schools, hospitals, businesses and homes of Shantinagar based on a rumour that a Qu’ran had been desecrated (it was actually a Bible that was destroyed). These villagers were left with very little – even the children’s school uniforms and books had been destroyed. Ministries came to help and the village was re-built. Life continued on.

When I visited in December 2007, I enjoyed deeply sweet hospitality. I felt loved, honoured and blessed. I was able to share with them a message I developed specifically for them – about God’s call to them as servants. They knew they were sons and daughters in their faith, and they had confidence in who they were in Christ.  But they were also servants– with the same attitude and love that Jesus displayed in Phil. 2: 5-11. This wasn’t any ordinary service to others. It was something incredibly deep and confirmed to these dear Christians that their forgiveness and humility was a witness to Jesus. Everything that they did and will do for Jesus is a great treasure because of their attitudes, countenance and character. I would like to go back to this place – to teach but also to learn from them. They had truly learned how to grow spiritually – so deeply that Jesus shone from every aspect of their lives. One of their secrets was to trust God in all circumstances. We are encouraged by Proverbs to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths”(Prov. 3:5-6). May we continue to trust Him who is faithful and will never leave us.

Next time I will share on how we can grow through worship.

Yours in Christ, Laurie-Ann Copple

Laurie-Ann is based in Ottawa, Ontario and may be available for mission trips and speaking tours.

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Growing through Bible Study: Ways to Grow in God through God’s word

Posted on February 26, 2014 | 3 comments

by Laurie-Ann Copple

Old-New

Last time we discovered that we grow well when we pray for others in intercession and in fasting (either Lenten type fasts or more serious disciplines). Fasting in the context of prayer is meant to change the heart of the person who prays, and helps you get more in tune with God’s heart.  The next featured way to grow in God is by studying his written Word – the Bible.  The Anglican Book of Common Prayer (BCP) and the Book of Alternate Services (BAS) are full of great scripture, so when you decide to begin reading the Bible on your own (or with a group), you will recognize quite a few of these verses. For example, a personal favourite spoken in the order of service, is: Ephesians 3:20: “Glory to God, whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever.” Of course, the prayer book also includes many historical prayers and creeds that are also scripturally-based. However, it is best to start with the authoritative word of God first – the Bible.

The Bible is God’s truth, and it is spiritual food for us.  If this journey is new to you, I would suggest that you begin with the New Testament, then the Psalms and Proverbs, and in time the rest of the Old Testament, including the Prophets.  As you read each chapter and verse, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in understanding. Sometimes a verse from the Bible will seem to jump out at you into your heart (the term is called ‘illumination.’)  This is meant as encouragement to you.  Since the Holy Spirit inspired and filled the human authors to write the different biblical books, He can also inspire YOU.

Remember to be regular in Bible reading – even if it is only 15 minutes a day.  You wouldn’t want to eat too much of your favourite food at once, right?  This is the same thing. We grow through the Bible in a way that roots us into what God says to us, even though the original words were given 1900 – 4000 years ago or so. The Bible has a special quality to it that it speaks to the people of the time in which different books were written as well as to us – sometimes literally, and other times by analogy.  We grow through studying the Bible and spending time with the Holy Spirit during our regular devotional time.  When we have both, we become spiritually balanced rather than being ‘flaky’ or cold.

It often helps to study the Bible in groups, because it is important that you learn what God is doing with others while they are also learning scripture.  However, remember that the Bible is an ancient book. God has spoken and still speaks through the Bible, but the cultures from biblical times are different from our own, although, sometimes the circumstances can be parallel to our own lives. Then we can understand and apply what we learn to our own lives. The term for learning the Bible in its original perspective is called exegesis. When I learned some of the history and culture of those times, as well as a bit of their language, it gave even deeper meaning to the scriptures – especially with the stories of Jesus and of the journeys of the Apostle Paul. It helps even more to see these places in person if possible.

Applying the scriptures to our daily lives is called hermeneutics. Do we need to understand the original meaning before we can apply a scripture to our lives?  No, but it gives us greater understanding and makes the Bible seem even deeper to us since the writers were describing real places.

What if you have read the whole Bible from cover to cover?  I would definitely encourage you to keep reading your Bible regularly.  There are different ways to do this, especially if you’ve read each book ‘as is.’ Perhaps a topical study would be a good start, since often scriptures are linked throughout the Bible. Study Bibles are helpful as are Topical Indexes. Visit your local Christian bookstore, which would have Bible studies that can help you on your Bible-learning journey.

Remember, even though scripture can be familiar, or may feel like a comfortable old shoe, it can still speak to you in a deeper way when you need it most.  Next time, we will learn of another way to grow in God.

Yours in Christ, Laurie-Ann Copple

Laurie-Ann has returned to Ontario from Nelson BC and is currently in transition, seeking ministry and employment. She volunteers as writer, producer and radio host at CKCU 93.1 FM in Ottawa and attends St Paul’s in Kanata ON.

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Sometimes Growth in God is slow – in transition

Posted on January 28, 2014 | Comments Off on Sometimes Growth in God is slow – in transition

Hi!  This post is more of an update than an article.  I’m back in Ottawa, Ontario and in transition.  During this time (partly to do with unemployment), it seems to go by very slowly.  That doesn’t mean that God is done with me (or you either)!   Sometimes we have seasons where we seem to be hidden, like poinsettias being grown in a greenhouse.  They are put in a dark room for a while so they may bloom later.  The apostle Paul talks about this in Colossians 3:3: Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.…

So be patient as God works something beautiful in you!  More later.

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Prayer and Fasting – another important way to grow in God

Posted on August 3, 2013 | Comments Off on Prayer and Fasting – another important way to grow in God
Growing in God doesn't have to be a race like this fast boat from Mackinac Island, Michigan

Growing in God doesn’t have to be a race like this fast boat from Mackinac Island, Michigan

Growing in Prayer and Fasting: Ways to Grow in God

Last time we discovered that we flourish as we express our prayers in journaling, as well as waiting for the Holy Spirit’s voice in reply. This reply often comes by remembered scriptures, words of encouragement and being drawn closer to Jesus). We also learned the popular model of ‘A.C.T.S.’: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.  Supplication includes praying for others; sometimes in the form of lists. The ‘Prayers of the People’ that we share at church would be in this category. I believe that God listens to these prayers. Yet, have you had times when you were interrupted by an urgent thought, a picture of someone you know in your memory and an intense desire to pray for them?  This is intercessory prayer – prayer requests from the Holy Spirit himself. So you’ve obey that call and pray for that person. You feel that burden on your heart grow lighter. Sometimes you may weep while praying.  Then soon after, you learn the person you prayed for had urgently needed help at that exact moment. Your prayers were used by God to get them out of some danger.   The Apostle Paul encourages us in 1 Thess. 5:17 to pray without ceasing (or to pray continually).  This doesn’t necessarily mean for us to literally be on our knees 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but it does encourage us to have a prayerful attitude where you can offer up quick ‘arrow prayers’ to the Lord throughout the day.  This attitude keeps us thankful.  It also helps remind us that Jesus really is there with us all the time.  This is “practicing the presence of God” (or abiding as mentioned in John 15: 1-17). This posture keeps you peaceful and centered on Him.

Remember to take your time in all forms of prayer. Don’t just pray quickly to get it over with. Slow down and listen – and be quiet before God.  It can be difficult to hear God in the midst of an adrenaline rush. When you take that time, He may say something to you. He may lead you to specific scripture verses, or pour His love and peace into you as you wait on Him.  You will find that time refreshing and a welcome break to a hectic day. Then you will be more energized and focused. Think of it as a divine refreshment break.

Fasting is often combined with prayer.  My former priest Fr. John reminds us that we need to give something up and take something on during the Lenten season. This kind of fast is specific to Lent, since it is giving up one thing for a specific period of time.  However, you can also set other times for specific fasts if you are called to do so by the Holy Spirit. Usually that item or activity that you surrender would be important to you. The activity you pick up could be extra time with God, or doing a ministry for him (This practice is meant to be a gift of devotion to God and bring you closer to Him).

Many people chose to give up chocolate. Your Lenten fast doesn’t have to be chocolate, although many people choose it as the thing to fast from because it’s their favourite thing.  There are many things we can give up for a season.  I remember going off coffee one year, and it wasn’t easy. Another year I gave up television, which was difficult at the time, but later on I didn’t watch much of it when I was in school nearly full time.  A few years ago, I gave up credit cards, which was a good thing, though I have since relapsed.

You don’t have to limit your fasting to Lent.  Tony and I went on weeklong vegetarian fast before a mission trip. It is also called a ‘Daniel fast’, since the Old Testament prophet Daniel fasted from meat and wine for 3 weeks while he prayed (Dan 10:2-3). We did this as a time of praying and waiting on God’s confirmation of our 2005 Kenya Alpha mission. During this week my mind cleared and my heart began to change concerning Tony’s role in the mission. While I did not yet get the guidance I needed, God was preparing Tony’s heart for that mission; even though he wasn’t yet willing to join me. I simply asked the Lord to speak to Tony about going to Kenya during my own devotional prayer time.

During that week Tony shared with me that he could sense God very strongly several times when he was working on his computer, and he prayed in response to God’s call, but he did not get direction on going on the mission trip.  Eventually, Tony did hear the Holy Spirit speak to him about going with me on the mission, but this was in HIS time, not mine.  Fasting in the context of prayer is meant to change the heart of the person who prays. It also helps that person get more in tune with God’s heart.

Now did any of these Lenten fasts bring me closer to God?  I would have to say that in and of themselves, they did NOT bring me closer to God – but that is where the taking on something extra comes in.  When one gives the Lord what you have given to him as a GIFT, not as an obligation, and in the time you would spend watching television, or eating dessert, etc, you would be spending that time with Him in a specific way, then it can become a blessing to you. One Lenten season I taught the Ways to Grow series at St. Paul’s and all of us were deeply blessed. I especially received as I poured out love, teaching and prayer to those who attended. This was the something extra that I took on that year.

Other fasts can be more intense than Lent.  This includes fasting from one meal for prayer, to forty days fasting from food, but not liquids.  Jesus spent this kind of fast in the Judean desert.   Do we need to do this in our own walk with God?  Perhaps – but I would advise taking small steps as you learn.  I am still learning this discipline myself, and I know the Lord honours our efforts to grow in Him.  He will guide you closer as you dare to walk closer to him.  You won’t be sorry.  Note:  I also shared a longer talk on prayer and fasting that will be posted online separately for readers who need more than this bite-sized story.

Yours in Christ, Laurie-Ann Copple

Laurie-Ann recently moved to Nelson BC, and works for Vista Radio.  She attends Kootenay Christian Fellowship and has roots at St Paul’s in Kanata ON.

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Growing through Prayer: ACTS and prayer journalling

Posted on April 4, 2013 | Comments Off on Growing through Prayer: ACTS and prayer journalling

prayer journal

Last time we discovered that we grow well when we learn really to trust God as our Father. A special way to grow that trust is in speaking with him every day – in prayer. Prayer can be a discipline (that you grow in) but even simple prayers involve talking with God – in an honest way. These prayers are precious! God knows our hearts, and also what we are trying to say when we have trouble giving words to our thoughts and feelings.  Prayer often involves a form of liturgy.  Our green prayer book (Book of Alternative Services) is obviously very helpful for this, as is the Lord’s Prayer. Another helpful model follows ‘A.C.T.S.’: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.

Adoration is a form of worship that acknowledges who God really is.  Sometimes thanking God for his wonderful qualities helps you focus on Him – such as his holiness, love, compassion, faithfulness, and amazing mercy. It is very easy sing your prayers since many worship songs are indeed musical prayers.

Confession is the act of acknowledging your own sins to the Lord and asking for his forgiveness. These can be sins that are actively committed as well as those of omission: by not doing what He asks us to do. Allow the Holy Spirit to convict you of specific sin – it may be exactly the right time to deal with it.  Note that conviction is NOT condemnation, or that general feeling of worthlessness.  That’s not a message from God at all.

Thanksgiving is important. You don’t have to have very much to be thankful for.  Remember to thank Him for what you do have and for what He has done for you.  Remember daily what God has done in your life. This keeps you more content in times of transition.  God has a way of giving you what you need while you wait on Him.  Joyce Meyer reminds us in her Healthy Living series that thankfulness is an important key to emotional health.  Remember seven things that God has done for you. Write them down – every day.  Then look back at all that God has done for you. That old cliché of counting your blessings is actually true!  It is for this reason that the Apostle Paul encourages us to be ‘thankful in all things’ (Ephesians 5:20).  Remember, you reap what you sow.  Thankfulness deepens a grateful heart and opens your eyes to the many ways God will bless you.

Finally, supplication is the form of asking God for the needs of others.    It is often called intercessions or prayers for the people.  However, true intercession is when the Holy Spirit puts someone on your mind and heart and gives you an intense prayer burden for that person.  Intercession is prayer with a prophetic edge.

It is very helpful keep track of what you’ve been praying.  We need to do this because it is easy to forget all the wonderful little blessings that God gives us when He answers prayers.  So you write down your prayer concerns on paper or on your computer.  Keeping a prayer journal is beneficial – because if you struggle with praying aloud (even in private), this way helps you organize your thoughts.

I write my prayers like a love letter to God. I was taught this method of prayer-journalling by Buffalo-based speaker Mark Virkler. Mark leads a course called Communion with God that teaches you how to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit.  He encouraged me to listen to God by writing out my prayer to Him and to wait for the Holy Spirit’s response.  He told me that many people don’t try to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. They don’t want to be still and to give their God-given imaginations to Jesus.  Our imagination is exactly where the Holy Spirit speaks. He inspires us and often reminds of important things. He is that gentle whisper that leads us to Jesus.

Once your imagination is cleansed and blessed, you can hear God’s voice more effectively in your “inner eyes or inner ears.”  This way,  the still small voice of the Holy Spirit doesn’t just come as a whisper of general love and encouragement. He can remind you of a specific scripture, give you a picture from your memory, show you a picture of something to pray about or give you songs and poems…  God is very creative!   Some people are more open to this naturally because they are creative to begin with, yet all of us have this creative side.  When someone says to you: “Oh, you hear the voice of God; are you sure it’s not just your imagination?”  Well, I have to say, wake up, because God uses your imagination! God speaks to you through your conscience, imagination, and the deepest part of you – your spirit.  It’s a matter of being attuned to Him; like a radio receiver on the right frequency. Too often we are listening to static, but God is speaking to us.

When Mark taught us how to hear the Holy Spirit, he emphasized that you have to focus on Jesus. It is also the same with journaling.  Both journaling and soaking prayer work best when you are focused on Jesus. When you focus on Jesus, (and are still before Him) it is definitely God who speaks to you.  Keep focused on Him.

I encourage you my dear friends to try this form of prayer. You will find it deeply satisfying and find that God has been speaking to you all along.  You just didn’t realize that He has been speaking to you!.  Next time I will continue with growing in God through intercessory prayer and fasting.

Yours in Christ

Laurie-Ann Copple

prayer girl

Laurie-Ann works in radio broadcasting and attends St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Kanata, Ontario

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Becoming a child who trusts our Father

Posted on March 27, 2013 | Comments Off on Becoming a child who trusts our Father

Tara wedding & Niagara 010

Last time we discovered that we grow really well when we obey Jesus and walk in his ways. Sometimes this journey is difficult. However, it is absolutely necessary for us to grow to maturity. The best thing is that we are never alone on this journey.  Others watch us.  It is a witness to the world that we are a “real Christian” when we show our faith by our actions.  One of the deepest ways to grow in holiness is learning to trust God.  Sometimes when we were children, we didn’t learn ‘basic trust’ through our families and friendships. However, we can re-learn this important relational aspect that is the foundation of nearly all our relationships.

Do you know who you are?  Or do you need to please others to feel a sense of identity, belonging or sense of worth? Sometimes we wrongly learn to ‘hedge our bets’ and try to please other people around us. This is very visible if you haven’t had the certainty of love and the dependable nature of a stable parent or guardian.  We may build walls around our hearts. We may not learn the basic trust that someone will catch us if we fall or love comfort us in difficult times.  Instead of the stability of knowing faithfulness and steady, dependable, unconditional love, life can be fragile.  Therefore, many turn into people-pleasers to try to earn acceptance.

It is a good thing to bless others – but we don’t need to always strive to please others as if our identity depends upon our performance. I was like this for many years. I understood myself within a variety of different roles: daughter, friend, sister, student, artist and through my volunteer and paid work. I truly did not understand that I there was no need to please God and his servants in order to get into heaven.  Well… I knew in my head that Jesus gave himself for me. Salvation was costly for Jesus but free to me. Yet in my heart, I wanted more assurance and I strove for acceptance.  I acted only as a servant and not as a daughter. I did not feel comfortable just being with Jesus.  I had to always DO something.

It has taken me time, counselling and lots of love from mature Christians to overcome.  I had much soul searching before the Lord so I could understand this foundational truth: Even if I never picked up another kitchen utensil, musical instrument, paint brush or the like, Jesus would still love me in the same wonderful way.  The Father would still accept me as a daughter and the Holy Spirit would not leave me if I would take a rest.  So I did, and limited myself to specific ministries so that I would do only what I was supposed to do at that time.  I kept burning out for God, when He didn’t ask me to do this. Yet God had something much better for me – to transform my heart to trust Him.  He began to re-work my image of a loving Father.

Most of us have imperfect fathers.  My father wasn’t shy and he showed his love for me. However, he teased me mercilessly. I always took this the wrong way and felt intense shame. He didn’t know how to bless anyone (after all, he wasn’t a Christian).  When I grew up, I attended a week-long school at Singing Waters ministries in Orangeville, Ontario.  It was about the Heart of God the Father.  During that week, a very gentle Christian man was able to ‘stand in’ for my father while we prayed.  I was able to forgive him for his teasing and the ways that he had hurt me. I received further healing through a father’s love at another conference two years later. Another special man blessed me in a way that could only come from a loving father to a daughter. In time, I was able to see my own father through Jesus’ eyes.  It was only then that I could understand. My dad is a loving and generous man. He needs Jesus’ healing as much as I have. So with God’s help, I was able to love honour my dad in such a way that he can now see Jesus in me.

I learned to trust God about my dad, and in the process, I became a witness to him. I had healing in my life concerning other relationships, as I learned to wait on God.  At the core of this healing, was a new foundation of trust and security.  When our basic trust is held by the Faithful One who does not change, we become more steady. We are no longer easily shaken.  King David and other Psalm writers declare their trust in the Lord many times – despite very difficult circumstances.  They take refuge in God (Ps 91:2). They trust God when they are afraid (Ps 56:3). They encourage others to put their trust in God instead of chariots, princes and ways of the world. In time, this trust grows and becomes unshakeable.  God is trustworthy. He shows His faithfulness in our lives in countless ways.  Sometimes He has us wait (seemingly forever!) but He doesn’t seem bothered by our impatience. One of my seminary professors used to say that many people get impatient at the microwave and say, “Hurry up!”  Yet, the Holy Spirit offers us a different way. He promises us that “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31).”  That hope implies that we must wait. We must trust Him so we can be allowed to grow – in good times, and in circumstances where we are forced to depend on God.

God doesn’t let us down, although at the time we don’t always see his presence in our lives at that moment.  Then we look back.  Do you remember the “Footprints” poem?  It is then that we see He’s been there all along.  In our last article we looked at obedience, this time it’s about trust.  The two truths go hand in hand, as is shown in Psalm 84:11-12 and by the hymn “Trust and Obey:” “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.  Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey…”

Next time we’ll share on growing through Prayer.

Yours in Christ,
Laurie-Ann Copple

Laurie-Ann is an Ottawa based media person.  She works for Newcap Radio, and graduated from Algonquin College (radio broadcasting), Tyndale Seminary and University of Toronto.   She attends St Paul’s Anglican Church in Kanata, Ontario.

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