Hello, just thought I’d share a few thoughts on our time together this Saturday!

Why we do this

Let’s begin with Jesus.

Ok, if you aren’t familiar with Jesus, please bear with me as I continue. It’ll be worth it.

When Jesus was travelling around the towns and cities with his disciples, doing what he does best—preaching, teaching, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, mending broken hearts, not to mention confronting the self-righteous—he was bringing good to the people wherever he goes. To him, that was his way of telling the world that there is a new order in place, and it is called the kingdom of God.

The kingdom of God is where God reigns.

The kingdom of God is where lives are restored to the goodness God intended them to hold.

The observation here is that the kingdom of God is not just to be preached, but it is to be seen; to be lived.

One of the most powerful ways to live the kingdom of God is to gather at a specific time and place, around a specific group of people who desires to live that way, with a kind of singular purpose in love, grace, and peace.

Yes, that is why we participate at the cleanup effort for the Rosewood community every year — to live the kingdom of God in reality.

With that, let me share a couple of thoughts on how to make the most of the cleanup effort:

Go with Gratitude

It begins with intentional thanksgiving. Some people might see this occasion as an obligation. But in my experience, a more helpful way is to see that you get to do all of this; that you areable to do all of this. You are given the health to walk, to bend down to pick up trash. You are given the ability to chat and share and laugh with the people around you. You are given fingers (yes!) to hold a camera and snap photos to capture meaningful moments.

All of these do not come easy, they are gifts from God.

Yes, somewhere along the way, you found yourself on the receiving end of something awe-strikingly good.

So go with a heart full of thanks to what has been given to you.

Go with Generosity

No, I’m not just talking about being generosity with our money, though that’s important, too. I am talking about being generous with all of the resources that you have. Those who’ve lived long enough eventually fall into two categories: they either become increasingly stringent and rigid, grabbing all that they can grab because there’s not enough to go around, or they become increasingly self-giving because they were able to see all the goodness and gifts that has been given to them.

(To my Jesus-following friends, this speaks deeply to your view of the God you believe in, is He a generous God? Or is He a scrooge?)

So try this:

  • Be generous with your smile. Greet people with a heartfelt smile. (some of us will find this extremely hard)
  • Be generous with your stories; share something helpful and encouraging to others.
  • Be generous with your time. Take part.

See You There

The event will be held this Saturday April 23rd from 9:45am to 11:45am outside of Alexmuir Jr Public School in Scarborough.

This event is organized by our community partner Rosewood Taxpayer Association. As you arrive, please to register at the registration desk.

You might consider bringing these items:

  • Sunscreen
  • Gloves for cleanup (there will be gloves provided too)
  • Sunglasses
  • Water
  • Wear shoes you are comfortable walking in
  • Outwear as we’ll be staying outside the whole time
  • Fun and Good news

Forecast says it’ll be a sunny day but please do dress warm as temperature will be between 4 to 9 C.

Hope to see you there.

Dave