Tzekdakah

Justice Versus Charity

I have just finished reading a book called "A Year of Biblical Womanhood" by Rachel Held Evans and one of the chapters really got to me. She says "Judiasm has no word for "charity".  Instead the Jews speak of tzedakah which means justice or righteousness.  While the word charity means a single act of giving, justice speaks to right living."  It is a way of  'repairing the world' as in the Jewish concept tikkun olam.

"What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God"  Micah 6:8

When you think of all the needs in our world and how we can go about 'repairing the world', to act justly, to help those in need, we really do need to be walking humbly with our God.



Here are some books in our library that might help with issues in your own life or a life of a friend.

Father Fiction by Donald Miller
With honest humor and raw self -revelation, Donald Miller tells the story of growing up without a father and openly talks about the issues that befall the fatherless generation.  Raw and candid, Miller moves from self-pity and brokennes to hope and strength, highlighting a path for millions who are floundering in an age without positive role models.





God's Grace and the Homosexual Next Door by Alan Chambers



Alan Chambers-a former homosexual himself-and four of his colleagues at Exodus International off practical and biblical insights on how both individuals and churches can become a haven for homosexuals seeking freedom from same sex attraction.


Helping People Through Grief by Delores Kuenning

Based on her own experience as a pastor's wife, in-depth research and interviews with Christian counselors and medical professionals, the author believes that though most people lack the skills to really help people through a crisis, these skills can be learned. The book is designed to guide the reader in how to show care and concern--by what is said and done, by being sensitive to the process and by knowing when to do what.



Someone I Love Died by Christine Harder Tangvald

A simple, colourful book to help adults guid children through the process of grieving with heart healing words.

When Pete's Dad Got Sick by Kathleen Long Bostrom

A wonderful story that will help children deal with chronic illness in the adults around them.  A section at the end provides suggestions for parents and caregivers of hurting children.

Go Into All the World.....!

History of Missions at Bethel

Missions has always been an emphasis at Bethel from the starting of the church (as it was started as an outreach to the Norwegians in Winnipeg). The first pastor of our church, Rev. J. Simpson became a general missionary in 1921 after he finished his pastorate at the church.

From George and Ella Sinderson's many years in Africa to Ursula and Seigfried Grafe still pursuing Mission through the Bethel Orphanage, as a church we have supported missionaries all through out the world, long term, short term, financially, physically, and spiritually. 

 

As I was doing one of the canvases for the sanctuary, I went through the past annual reports, I noticed that we have sent missionaries throughout almost every continent in the world as well as many countries throughout Bethel's 100 years!  As I was doing the canvas, I was thinking that we had never had anyone in Japan and a couple of Sundays later, I hear that Naomi was on her way there!

Books About Missionaries in Our Library

Peter Dynamite:  Twice Born Russian  by Norman Rohrer and Peter Deyneka Jr.

The board of a new Russian mission organization knew they had an immense task ahead of them. Peter developed it into the largest mission of its kind in the world through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Jungle Pilot by Russel T. Hinton

 

An updated version of Nate Saints story of faithful service and dying for Jesus.  Nate's son, Stephen goes back to Ecuador to see and record the remarkable progress that was pioneered by Nate and his friends.

Jim Elliot:  One Great Purpose by Janet and Geoff Benge

Jim Elliot and his coworkers surrendered their lives in Ecuador's jungle.  Decades later, this dramatic event has challenged countless Christians to live with one great purpose: to bring the gospel to those who have never heard.

From Akebu to Zapotec by June Hathersmith

An ABC book of peoples in the world that do not have the Bible in their language.

MissionFest Manitoba

If you didn't have a chance to go to Missionfest, we have audio CDs of many of the sessions.  If you wondering what it was all about, go here.