Kids of the King, Arise!

God of the City

For the past several years, Sierra Noble has been actively involved in global issues related to war, the indiscriminate use of land mines, and their devastating effect on those people– especially children — living in war-torn regions of the world.

Her journey began, when ten-year-old Sierra saw a land mine display for the first time. It was a haunting moment and one that she would never forget. Although she didn’t think she could accomplish anything because she was young, two special people from her hometown Winnipeg,- Meredith Daun and Darryl Toews – thought otherwise. They convinced Sierra that she could make a difference, and that she could take a stand against land mines and help make the world a better place.

So WAS she able to do something? YOU BET! When she was only 12 she started traveling extensively throughout Canada, North America and Europe and in August, 2004 she represented Canada at the Ban Land mines International Children’s Conference in Japan. As she speaks she reminds us that as Gandhi said, “You must be the change that you wish to see in the World.” In other words “As ‘messed up’ as the world may seem, there’s always hope to change it.”

She’s a talented fiddler who focuses on the traditional Metis style of music, but also plays Cajun, Celtic, country and other styles with ease. She uses her gift to help fund raise to bring awareness of the danger of land mines and its effect on the children in the world. Her music has become a cata-lyst for change, a means to raise consciousness among people everywhere and a unique young “voice” that reaches out into the minds and hearts of all of us – regardless of where we live, regardless of who we are.

Presently, Sierra sits on the Advisory Committee as the Youth Representative of the University of Winnipeg, Global College and Dialogue Centre and is working with Dr. Lloyd Axworthy and other young representatives from around the World.

www.sierranoble.ca

You Are the Watchman
God’s Message came to me: “Son of man, speak to your people. Tell them, ‘If I bring war on this land and the people take one of their citizens and make him their watchman, and if the watchman sees war coming and blows the trumpet, warning the people, then if anyone hears the sound of the trumpet and ignores it and war comes and takes him off, it’s his own fault. He heard the alarm, he ignored it—it’s his own fault. If he had listened, he would have saved his life.

“‘But if the watchman sees war coming and doesn’t blow the trumpet, warning the people, and war comes and takes anyone off, I’ll hold the watchman responsible for the bloodshed of any unwarned sinner.’

“You, son of man, are the watchman. I’ve made you a watchman for Israel. The minute you hear a message from me, warn them. If I say to the wicked, ‘Wicked man, wicked woman, you’re on the fast track to death!’ and you don’t speak up and warn the wicked to change their ways, the wicked will die unwarned in their sins and I’ll hold you responsible for their bloodshed. But if you warn the wicked to change their ways and they don’t do it, they’ll die in their sins well-warned and at least you will have saved your own life.

WOW That is a powerful message isn’t it!. YOU are a watchman Ezekiel!

In Canada in our national Anthem we sing…

That is a prayer right in the middle of our anthem with a promise that we will stand on guard for our nation. Have you ever really noticed that?
That includes having border guards at our borders to make sure terrorists don’t come in. It includes security guards at our airports. But it also includes guards at old people’s homes to watch over them that they don’t go out of the building when they are confused and get lost. Can you think of some others?

What do you think? That is a whole other way of looking at “Stand on Guard” isn’t it.
- Can you think of some places that need guards or watchmen to speak out?
-Now ask God how or where He would like you to “Stand on Guard”.

ACTION:

While this is Canada’s anthem, because there are SO many people from so many nations living in Canada I would like to share the thoughts in that song with you wherever you are and invite you to sing along and pray for your nation as well as for Canada.

O Canada! Our home and native land
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise
The true north, strong and free
From far and wide, O Canada
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.

By Amy Holland

Jesus told the disciples to preach the gospel throughout the earth. It’s always neat to meet people who are doing just that. This fall, I spent three months in Ecuador and had the opportunity to be apart of the missionary community there. Can you find it on this map here? Right, the yellow country on the left. This is in the continent of South America.

My purpose in going to Ecuador was to teach English in a local elementary school in a tiny town called Shell.

SOME OF THE CHILDREN IN MY CLASS

I would like to provide you with some background information, since most people have never heard of Shell. What puts Shell on the map, besides the gas company for which it is named, is its connection to Nate Saint. Many people are familiar with the story of Operation Auca, the story of several missionary pilots (Jim Elliot among them) who flew deep into the jungle to preach the gospel to the Auca tribe in the 1950s. At the beginning, their message was not received and Jim Elliot and Nate Saint, among others, were martyred. Over time however, many of the people in the tribe believed the message of God’s love for them, repented and today a large number of the people in Ecuador are Christians.Now half a century after Operation Auca, I found myself living only miles away from Jim Elliot and Nate Saint’s old house, surrounded by the missionary efforts that THEY started and are still continuing today!

As I began my missionary experience in the Ecuadorian schools I found it was challenging. There were tears, much frustration, and the realization that I had bitten off far more than I could chew. I didn’t speak the language, the food was different, the customs were different, I got lost, and had a hard time keeping the kids in my class focused. Just imagine yourself being in a spot like that.

One source of constant strength was the fellow missionaries. They understood the culture shock I was experiencing, the language barrier, the climate change, and best of all, they understood where I was coming from – NORTH AMERICA. Often they would ask how things were going at the school and remind me they were praying for me. One lady even had me over for Thanksgiving.

Even though it can be hard Jesus instructed us to share the gospel throughout the world.

Do you remember a Bible verse that says that?

So, I knew that Jesus was with me and helped me. He loves the word so much that He gave His Son so that the WHOLE world could know of His love. HE left Heaven to come down to meet with us and to show us Gods’ love and die for us. Talk about culture shock. So he understands, and will help us share the greatest story ever told!

LOOK UP: Mathew 28:18- 20

What does it say? Think of a creative way that that you can share Jesus’ love to your part of the world today. Ask God to give you His heart for the people around you. It was His love for the world that brought Him to earth! Wouldn’t it be good if all the Children of the world knew that Jesus loved them?

Jesus Loves Me
This I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are week but He is strong
Yes Jesus Loves Me
the Bible tells me so.

The Bible society is an organization that helps kids that are hurting in their health rehabilitation centers . There they also tell bible stories and give out bibles to the people that come.
Check out www.biblesociety.ca

Did you know that every nation on earth has something that is unique and special? Just as every person is unique and special so are nations. They are not all the same, and they don’t do things the same. I’m sure you have realized that as you study Social Studies. When you watched Matt dance all over the world on the January 1st blog entry, you saw some of these differences. (If you haven’t seen it go back into the archives and check it out)

Each nation also carries a piece of the puzzle in God’s kingdom as well. It seems that Korea has a piece of prayer, so much so that there are prayer mountains ALL OVER South Korea. In Australia a lot of our praise and worship songs come from there. France has the gift of passion, and England has had many of the word’s best Bible teachers. BUT is one more important than the other? No. They are all part of the Kingdom. Each is a different living stone that is building up God’s kingdom on earth.

So, I thought it would be neat to ask different people that live in different nations what is special about their nation. In the book of Revelations it says that the glory and honor of the nations will be brought into the the New Jerusalem ( Rev. 21:26) The first place that we will look at is Japan.

What is Japan’s glory? What will they bring to the Father’s throne at the end of time? It’s hard to guess what it might be; only God the Father knows for sure. There are many things it might be for Japan: their loyalty to friends and family, their kindness and consideration of others, or their responsible way of caring for the material things they have been given (a lesson in stewardship, to be sure), to name a few. Still, for me, what I love most about Japan is nature.

God has created some truly beautiful places in this world, and Japan is filled with beauty. Not only that, but many Japanese people have an enthusiasm to see and experience beauty which is truly unique. I am from Canada, which is a beautiful place, but I didn’t realize that it’s famous for its beauty until I came to Japan and had countless people tell me they are jealous of me, because I have seen such beautiful nature in Canada. Many of my Japanese friends have crossed the ocean (or want to), just to see the beauty of God’s creation in Canada. It is beautiful to see people who enjoy nature’s beauty so much. I think that makes God smile.

people gathering to see the fall colors

Here in Japan, festival after festival celebrates the beauty of creation. There’s a festival for spring, when millions rush to see and smell the freshly blooming cherry blossoms. There’s a festival for fall, when crowds pack together to walk under brightly lit red, orange, and yellow leaves. There are thousands who wake at midnight to climb Mount Fuji and watch a 4 am sunrise, excited to soak in its beauty, not stopped by the
ridiculously early wakeup call

It’s hard to describe all of the beautiful places, so I’ve included some pictures to let you see it for yourself. I think you’ll agree with me that God has truly placed His fingerprints on the scenery of this nation. He has also placed an appreciation for that beauty in the hearts of this people. When they come to the throne, I believe Japanese people will fill heaven’s air with shouts of, “Sugoi! Kirei!” (Wow! So beautiful!)

My prayer is that their celebration of creation will change to a celebration of praise to our Creator. That would be an even greater glory to bring to His throne.

Stephanie McIntyre