From the Pastor’s Desk – Sept 23 2017

Dear Bronte friends,

This weekend we are focusing on healthy relationships and families. This is perhaps what many counsellors refer to as the basic unit and building block of society. The English poet, John Donne once remarked, “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main…” We are all a part of a web of relationships. In this diverse cross-section, not every interaction or person is healthy. We live in a broken and dysfunctional world caused by sin and we also share in that brokenness and dysfunction. This can adversely affect a person, a relationship, a marriage, a family and a network of people. However, we need to have healthy relationships so we can grow. What can we do to make them better and improve them? I believe the first step is to acknowledge our own limitations and imperfections. Maybe you have had traumatic life experiences or unhealthy relationships but have been relying on your own strength to make it in life. Are you whole? Is your soul well? Are you living the full and deeply rich life that God wants you to experience? It takes courage to reflect and honestly assess your deep beliefs, emotions and habits that could be affecting your emotional, spiritual and physical health. What I am saying is that in order for a relationship, marriage or family to be healthy, we have to be healthy individually. Healthy people beget healthy people. If you’re in a situation that is “toxic” and need help, then make the decision to get help first for yourself and collectively. The Message translation of the Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 “May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body.” God desires to make you and I whole which does not happen overnight. I need this experience, and the first step, starts today. Let’s take the step and move toward being whole in Christ.

– Pastor D. Saugh.