Resisting Happiness

 The link to this week's live-streamed service is here  https://www.youtube.com/live/WDEzD8OmD3I?si=yhJGkaSr3Kc94Dqh

Resisting Happiness

Matthew Kelly

 

I was in a thrift store looking at the books and this title jumped out at me.   So I read the first page and the author gave the following example.  The alarm clock goes off, time to get up.  You make your first decision of the day, will you get up or hit the snooze button.  If you hit the snooze and rollover you have lost the first battle of the day.  Resistance has broken your will before your feet touch the ground.  I was so intrigued by this notion that I bought the book!

Resisting Happiness is a self-help book by Matthew Kelly.  He explores the reasons behind our resistance to happiness and provides practical strategies to overcome it.  The emphasis is on the importance of taking small steps toward personal growth, rather than waiting for a big change to happen.  Kelly has dedicated his life to helping people become the-best-version-of-themselves. He is the founder of The Dynamic Catholic Institute that is redefining the way Catholics are inspired and educated.

What is resistance?  It is that sluggish feeling of not wanting to do something that you know is good for you.  It is the inclination to do something that you know is not good for you.  It is the desire and tendency to delay something you should be doing right now.

Each chapter of the book explores a road block to happiness and the ways we resist what we know is good for us.  At the end of the chapter, Kelly states the key point and gives the reader an action step.  Here are a few examples of his key points--Every activity can be transformed into prayer; Some things you do help you become the person God created your to be, and some things don’t; Life is always teaching us lessons; We are just passing through this place we call earth. We are pilgrims not tourists.  There are 37 chapters in the book and each one challenges the reader to be the best they can be.  Kelly uses his Catholic faith to illustrate his premise but I found that this did not detract from his message.

Since reading this book I have shared what I have learned with my friends, both believers and non-believers. I have found it easy to share the lessons and to use my faith as examples.     In summary, this book shows you how to get more joy in your life by exploring the road blocks you unknowingly put in the way, explaining why it is a choice, and giving you ways to  become closer to God to find your way.                                                               

 

Book review by

Linda Cliff

Live in Remembrance

 Link for this week's live-streamed service is here

Cadet Abigail and Jerusha place wreath on Sunday morning

On this Remembrance Day it behooves us to pause and honour those who have died in Canada's wars, and to consider how we honour their legacy. Although, they fought on foreign soil, they fought to uphold Canadian ideals of justice, fair play, human dignity and all the many privileges we enjoy in this land. We have become so accustomed to those "privileges" we often consider them "rights," but they came with a cost.

In 1964, Dick Van Dyke, of Mary Poppins fame, stood beside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and delivered a speech written by Rod Serling. In 2024 he repeated that speech in Los Angeles. In part, it reads:

Hatred is not the norm. Prejudice is not the norm. Suspicion, dislike, jealousy ...none of those are the transcendent facets of the human personality. . . . As long as there is one voice left to say 'welcome' to a stranger, one hand outstretched to say 'enter and share,' and one mind remaining to think a thought of warmth and friendship, then there is still hope for humanity... .  There will be moments of violence and expressions of hatred and an ugly echo of intolerance. But these are the clinging vestiges of a decayed past, not the harbingers of a better, cleaner future. 

In closing he quoted from Horace Mann: "be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity." The actor added in his own words, "let us be ashamed to live without that victory."

Sitting in a local coffee shop last week, I was grieved by how many people, old and young, did not wear a poppy. As veterans of the World Wars pass away, their stories are left to family and historians to record. But we, who live in this most blessed and peaceful land, owe a debt of gratitude to those brave souls who left home and comfort to battle against hatred and evil. If we do not remember our history, we leave open an invitation for evil to rise again, and threaten all who live in freedom.

 I hope, that even without a poppy, that outward sign of remembrance and respect, Canadians of all stripes will strive to honour our fallen by living a life that wins "a victory for humanity."

Big Day for Lunch Bunch

 Link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

It was a busy Tuesday for the out to lunch bunch from SPPC this week.  They began with a visit to the Mary Winspear Centre to take in a sister-city display. Sidney has paired with several cities around the world, last week the focus was on Cairns, Australia. Although Canada and Australia are on opposite sides of the globe, we are both members of the British Commonwealth, so share many commonalities -- except the weather. While we are heading into the winter season, the folks in Cairns are gearing up for spring gardening. I find it hard to imagine Christmas with a beach barbeque!

Then, it was on to the Sidney Museum for a display on the War Measures Act. 

The War Measures Act has been used three times in Canada's history. First in 1914 at the outbreak of WWI, again in 1939 as WWII loomed and finally in 1970 during the October Crisis in Quebec that culminated in the kidnapping and murder of Pierre Laporte, a Quebec Cabinet Minister.

The War Measures Act was replaced in 1988 by the Emergency Measures Act. Under the War Measures Act, many Japanese, Ukrainian, German and Austrian nationals living in Canada were sent to intermnent camps.

This puzzle was an opportunity for visitors to imagine packing a suitcase for a stay at a camp for an unknown length of time.Try to pack everything you need into one suitcase. Hard choices deciding what to leave behind.

Public opinion has changed since wartime when most Canadians agreed with internment of citizens from hostile nations. Now, we are more apt to hear about the injustice of imprisoning those who had done nothing illegal, but it is naive to judge the actions of a generation at war by the ethics of generations that have known only peace. 

As we head toward Remembrance Day it is fitting that the museum remembered those who gave their lives in the cause of freedom in the Canada's wars. 

From there, the group headed off to lunch at the Harbour Restaurant. They ate well.

Thanks to Janet for sharing her pictures.

The Morning After

Link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

This is not an ice pack!

These past few days at SPPC have felt a bit like the "morning after." For weeks the congregation has been immersed in preparations for hosting Synod. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday we hosted Synod. We engaged with representatives from all over B.C. We served a banquet. We stood by with coffee and snacks at all hours. We joined in heartfelt worship. Then it was Monday and there was nothing left to do but clean up. What a come down!

Reports are that the members of Synod were thrilled with SPPC's hospitality, so we can preen a little. But what should we do now?

Well, there is no time to rest on our laurels. The cozy toes project wrapped up on Sunday. We had baskets and bags and boxes of warm socks, hats, sweaters and coats to send to the Mustard Seed.

The lunch bunch has plans for this Tuesday. There is another Sunshine Lunch coming up in November. A cleaning bee is planned for November as well, and our Wednesday study sessions continue.

All in all, SPPC is a hive of activity. 

But what does all this busyness have to do with Jesus?

We are commanded to "love thy neighbour."

• supporting the Mustard Seed is active love of our neighbours
• extending hospitality shows love for each other
• fellowship together supports members of the congregation who may be suffering
• visiting the shut-ins spreads the love of God to our lonely neighbours
• offering comfort to those who grieve is an act of Christian love

We are also commanded to "love the Lord with all your heart, and all your soul and all your mind." Matt. 27:37  Our modern culture lauds "love thy neighbour" but the "Love the Lord," part is often overlooked. 

Jesus put love of God ahead of love of neighbour. At SPPC we gather to worship the Father, God Almighty, the Great I Am, and His Son, Jesus Christ, Wonderful Counsellor, Prince of Peace, Saviour and Redeemer.

On Wednesdays we gather to study His Word, to discuss the hard questions of Christian living, and to grow in knowledge and understanding of our God.

SPPC knows how to throw a great party, we open our arms to our neighbours -- because we love God first.

Come and join us.

Synod at SPPC

 The links for this weekend's worship services are here.

  -- Friday evening 

  -- Saturday morning

 --Sunday morning

Whew! What a weekend. The Synod of B.C. of the Presbyterian Church met at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church this weekend. Representatives of all the congregations in the Presbyterian Church in B.C. send representatives to meet, worship and conduct the business of the church. Pretty straightforward.

What SPPC did, as host congregation was much more colourful and tasty! The hall, sanctuary and narthex were resplendent with flowers. Thanks to Pam, our resident expert, for creating such beautiful arrangements.  

On Friday evening, there was a beautifully arranged table groaning with meats, cheeses, muffins, fruit, chocolate . . . well, you had to be there.

veggies and dip formed as flowers

Of course, the food did not appear by magic-- many, many hands made it happen.

Taking a break

  

Goodie bags - never go hungry!

A little behind the scenes chaos

The finished product was stunning

That's Lorna and Jerusha and Linda and Norma and Darlene and Joan -- some of the heavy hitters in the kitchen.

But, that was only Friday, then there was coffee and snacks on Saturday, culminating with a feast on Saturday evening. 

Our friends from Jesus is Lord Congregation helped serve

A professional chef at work in the kitchen.

probably enough food!

The food came out piping hot.

What a pretty setting

I

On Sunday morning we had a full sanctuary for worship. Many of the presbyters stayed over and the congregation of Knox Presbyterian, Victoria, joined us. You can hear some glorious congregational singing by clicking the link at the top of this page. Rev. Dale Wood was our guest preacher. If he ever seeks a second career, he might consider being a stand-up comic. During a thoughtful, scripture-based sermon, quoting the apostle Paul, he still had the congregation chuckling.

It was a very full weekend, lots of work for many people, especially, Rev. Irwin, Darlene, and Roy at the organizaational level of things. It was great to see their smiling (relieved?) faces during coffee hour on Sunday morning. Praise God for using this building and these people to serve Him.

Thanksgiving and More

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

Thanksgiving Sunday saw the front of our sanctuary transformed to display the fruits of the harvest. Many have noted that this was not a good year for the garden -- mine included. With less bounty to enjoy, I took particular pleasure in what did make it through the cold spring, the heat spell, the marauding deer, the ravenous rabbits and the slimy slugs!

The Bible reminds us over and over that God cares for us and will provide. A glance at this year's Thanksgiving Table offers us reassurance of His love, even in hard times.

Our cozy toes project running through the month of October is a perfect way for us to share that love with others. The warm socks and small treats are sent to the Mustard Seed and distributed to those who in need.

Remember, Synod of BC meets at SPPC next weekend. Meetings on Friday evening, Saturday morning are open to all. Visiting clergy will be part of our service on Sunday morning. 

Just to put the icing on the cake, so to speak, we rounded off our Thanksgiving coffee hour -- with cake!

This week, I'm delighted to share a post written by our own Jim Dallimore. 

This year on Sunday September 29,2024 I attended the British Columbia Police Memorial Parade which took place at the BC legislature in downtown Victoria.

After church, I took the bus from Mctavish to near the Empress Hotel.

I was a Peace Officer, a member of the Criminal Investigations branch of Canada Border Services Agency in Toronto, retiring in October 2007 after serving 34 years. During that time I served alongside with many Police Agencies including the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and United States agencies including Homeland Security, the FBI, Buffalo Police and United States Coastguard.

Although never shot, I faced many unpleasant situations on the job.

This day means a lot to me to honour the men and women in law enforcement who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

This year 132 BC Law Enforcement Officers who made the ultimate sacrifice serving the citizens of British Columbia including the Ridge Meadows RCMP Constable Rick O'brian whose name will be added to the Roll of Honor. He was the tenth officer to be killed in the line of duty this year.

The parade started in front of the Empress Hotel at 1 PM. In front there were flag bearers, followed by Police on motorcycles, bands and contingents of Police and Law Enforcement Officers from a variety of agencies including CBSA.

The parade proceeded south on Government Street to the rear of the BC Legislature where the Police memorial is. . 

Here a ceremony took place which included reading of the names of officers killed in the line of duty since 1860, a gun salute, the laying  of wreaths and speeches by the Lt. Governor of British Columbia and the Police Chief of Vancouver.

Below are a couple of pictures

Jim at the memorial

Start of the parade

Ed. Note:  Thank you, Jim. On this Thanksgiving weekend, we can remember our dedicated police, and other first responders, and be grateful for their dedication and service.

 

Our design artist

October 2024

 

The link to this week's live-streamed service is here

October is shaping up as a very busy month in the life of our church. Here are a few  highlights.

• Synod meets at SPPC on the weekend of Oct. 18-20, 
• October 12-14 is Thanksgiving weekend
• on Saturday the 12th, at 10:00 am we'll decorate the harvest table. Offerings of produce, flowers and labour most appreciated. 
• Friendship coffee on Thurs. 10th at 10:00 am. 
• Choir meets that day but earlier than usual because the church will be used for an all-candidates meeting in the evening. 
• If you have questions about the people running for election in our area, this is your chance. Thurs. Oct. 10 at 7:00 pm
• On Wednesday, Oct 9, we begin our new season of Bible Study. Whew!

You'll note I've listed the October events in reverse order. That's because I want to focus this blog on the Bible Study. 

Our study uses videos, https://drivethruhistory.com/thegospels/ by Dave Stotts. Many of us are familiar with Stotts' hair-raising drives through the Holy Land and the landmarks he points out, often related to Old Testament events. 

In this series, his focus is on the Gospels and the life of Jesus. The video begins with the question "Who would you say is the most significant person who has ever lived?" For him, the answer is Jesus. Stott  still bounces along in his ramshackle vehicle, raising a dust and running out of gas, but the narration is firmly fixed on the life of Jesus. He references all four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, to get a complete "biography" of our Saviour. 

If you click the link above you can view the trailer for the series as well as individual lessons.

We meet in the lounge at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm on Wednesdays. All are welcome. Coffee's on. Discussion is thoughtful, funny, poignant. Bible study at SPPC is a safe place to share your thoughts, your questions, your experiences, your doubts, and to explore your faith with other seekers. Please come.