St. Andrew's Day

This past weekend, Scots gathered in celebration of their patron saint- St. Andrew.  Scots came together, in the kitchen for porridge- cooking competitions, in pubs for pints and whiskey, and attending ceildhs wearing kilts in community centres.  It’s a day to celebrate Scottish heritage and remember St. Andrew.

So who is St. Andrew and why is he so important?  Do you have an older brother who got you interested in sport and now you can’t stop playing? Why do you support Celtic or Man United?  Maybe because your siblings do to?  Or do you have a favorite place to play when you were younger?  It was like a secret hideout that your younger brother or sister showed you. You were so delighted to find it (even though you would never tell your little sister that), and it became the place you hung out at every day after school. 

One of the best things you can do as a sibling is show your brother or sister something incredible.  Something that has changed your life and something that you know will change theirs too.  Andrew was kind of like that to his brother Peter.  Andrew and Peter were fisherman, so they spent a lot of time together.  For a while Andrew had been learning from a man named John who taught him a lot about God.  One day when Andrew was in town with John, a man named Jesus walked by. John pointed to Jesus and said “Behold the Lamb of God.”  Or in Belfast “Aye, there’s the man I’ve been on about.  The one who is God.”  So Andrew and his friend walked towards Jesus.  Seeing them, Jesus invited them to “Come and see” who he was, and they spent the afternoon together. 

Later that day, Andrew was convinced that Jesus was the man who they had been waiting for.  The man who would save them as God’s chosen ones.  He went to tell his brother Peter about Jesus, and brought Peter to meet him.  The next day while fishing, Jesus came by and called Peter and Andrew and ten others to come “follow me.”  And they became Jesus disciples and later would tell the whole world about Jesus. 

Jesus doesn’t force us to follow him.  Rather he invites us to “come and see” who he is.  Then he calls us to follow him, and it’s only by following him that we truly come to understand who Jesus is as the Son of God.  Andrew saw who Jesus was and immediately went to share it with his brother Peter.  He wasn’t ashamed or worried about what Peter would think, instead he shared Jesus with his brother by inviting him to “come and see” as well.

St. Andrew’s day is on the 30^th of November, and Advent starts the Sunday after.  Advent is 4 weeks before Christmas that prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus.  As we start thinking about the real meaning of Christmas during Advent, may we also remember to be like St. Andrew and tell others about Jesus too.  The birth of Jesus is the true meaning of Christmas, and we should be telling everyone about it.  Like Andrew, it’s the best “gift” we can give to our brothers, sisters, family, friends, and all that we meet.

Prayer: Jesus, I thank you for calling St. Andrew and giving us his example to follow.  This Advent can you help me remember that you are the true reason for Christmas, and to give me the courage to share that with others too.  Amen.

What's the Craic with Me?

What's The Criac with Me?

It's mid November. The trees are nearly bare and the wind whips through them.  It's hard to believe I have been back for three months since my visit to the States.  Three months, it seems like ages ago and yesterday all at the same time.

So what have I been up to?  What's new with me? Or in Belfast slang- "what's the Craic?"

Being back in Belfast is so good.  It's as if I never left or if i have been here for ages.  I expected the year to be a year of growth and building since the foundation of knowing people and the culture has already been laid down.  "Maybe things will be easier this year," I thought to myself. And even in many respects they are, there have also been a lot of changes and things to adjust to.

First off, I have a new job and I am "officially" employed by Youth Initiatives. Well sort off... So Debbie the Faith Development Coordinator and employee of YI forth past 17 years took another job in October.  She was my supervisor and i was the other faith development worker in West Belfast.  Myself and another girl named Laura applied for the job and got it as a job share (splitting the work between the two of us)  It was my first ever professional interview and it was with a panel. So I am now leading with Laura the faith development program in West Belfast as a collaboration between YI, St. Colms high school, and the three parishes in higher area.

Realistically, I have been doing many parts of this job over the past few months, but now Laura and I are in charge rather than Debbie.  It's quite a change and adjustment, but it's also exciting.  Since there wasn't very much money for the post to begin with, it's split, and I'm foreigner, I'll get small living allowance rather than a full salary. This will cover part of my budget that I haven't fundraised yet for and other incidentals that might come up.   It's nice to get a bit more money, and to have a larger role within YI faith development. It's scary and challenging, but it's also incredible and a huge blessing.

Besides changes in responsibilities within faith development, In YI I have been planning a gardening horticulture therapy project for our girls program- Glow, interviewing girls for our summer mission trip to Romania, teaching in the schools, meeting one on one with girls, and general "stuff" that chills my work (sometimes beyond) life. It's a lot of things to juggle, but I love it.  Mostly "for such a time as this" God has called me to this life and work in Belfast.  I know that this is exactly where God wants me to be and I am satisfied with that.

So do I have a life outside of work and YI?  No, but I try to...  I love living with Siobhan, and it's been a lot of fun but mostly life giving.  We have been cooking together a bit, watching movies, and talking about the Hunger Games.  I'm just starting to get into the books and I love them.  For the first time in ages, I'm actually reading books and finishing them.  Of course, Laura comes to hangout at the house, and I often end up the butt of jokes.  The joys of being American!  I also have started knitting.  I'm trying to get into hobbies, be productive, and do "restful" activities. I have a goal of knitting a few scarves for Christmas and making a few other gifts.  We'll see if it actually happens.

One of my favorite things about autumn in Belfast is that the weather is usually decent here, and the sun shines more frequently.  A few Sunday afternoons, I have gone for long walks and enjoyed the beauty surrounding me. Of course good cups of tea under a warm blanket is also a great pass time.  Starbucks pumpkin lattes are one of my favorite autumn treats and I am looking forward to Thanksgiving with my American mates here.

Seasons are a funny thing.  They fly by so quickly yet they hold a special treasure to embrace and slow you down reminding you to savor the moment before it leaves.  Just like the leaves on the trees, my autumn has been filled with lots of transitions yet I know it's not an ending, but really a beginning.  In order for new life to grow, the things of the past season must die.  But they aren't gone and forgotten, rather just like a tree a ring is formed forever leaving a mark of the things long ago.  Seasons come and seasons go, but the impact lasts forever.

So that's the Craic with me! Anything new with you?  Please send me an update or any prayer requests at Sarah.nilles@gmail.com.  Much love and God bless, Sarah

Endurance Will Win You Your Lives

Your endurance will win you your lives!

Have you ever found it hard to admit that you are a Christian or a Catholic Christian?  Someone who believes in Jesus Christ and follows His teachings.  Do you ever find it hard to do good when so many things are going wrong around you? Is it easier to put faith in things that you can see rather than God?

Jesus knew that being a Christian was going to be hard for His followers.  People often tease and talk down to things they don't understand like faith. He knew that it would be easier to follow the crowd rather than standing up for what's right and the truth even when it can be hard or when it hurts.

In China it's illegal to worship God and be a Christian outside of the governments religion, and yet thousands of people are willing to risk their lives in order to worship
God.  Even though they may be arrested, beaten, or even killed they realize that their faith in Jesus Christ is more important to them then anything else that someone could do to them.

Watch video:  http://youtu.be/gagY2RXvbWo.  

Jesus acknowledge that people would be persecuted for their faith, but He also said he would always be with them.  Jesus said, "Your endurance will win you your lives."   May we like the Chinese Christians endure through hardships and suffering that come our way and look forward to the promise of eternal life with Jesus Christ.

Let us pray:  Christ Jesus thank you for suffering and dying on a cross for us - that we may be free and have eternal life in heaven with you one day.  Please forgive us for the ways we have turned our back on you because we were afraid of what others might say or do.  Help us to be courageous and always stand up for the faith.  Please bless those around the world especially in China who are persecuted for their faith.  In Jesus name. Amen

Remembering the Dead in November

Below is my latest mediation for St. Colms High School. Please not its a Catholic high school, so the meditation is based upon Catholic beliefs this week.  

Do you ever find the month of November to be a bit of a depressing month?  Everything outside is dying, the trees are barren with maybe a couple leaves still holding on, the air is Baltic, and you barely have time to walk home from school before it starts to get dark.  It's the beginning of the long winter months. To make things worse, they keep talking about November Dead at school.  Could November get anymore depressing? 

Why do we remember the dead in November anyways? The Catholic 
Church sets aside the month of November to remember and pray for all those who have died especially our friends and family.  We write their names down on pieces of paper to go into the church, we attend mass, we light candles, and we say prayers for all those who have died.  We pray especially for the souls who are in purgatory being cleansed from their sins and preparing themselves for eternity with God in Heaven.  They need our prayers as they wait for their time in heaven.  Once in heaven they will then pray for us and all of our needs here on earth.

There is nothing more depressing or despairing then thinking that death is the end. If there was nothing more after death, then there would be nothing to hope in or for.  But it's NOT over!  Over 2000 years ago, Jesus broke through death, pain, suffering, and despair when he rose again from the dead into hope of the resurrection. We now have hope because of the resurrection. Christ offers us hope in the face of death.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus said, "Now he is God, not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all men are in fact alive."  May we take great hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and into the fact that our love ones are no longer dead but alive in Christ.  May we always keep them in our prayers until we too one day see them alive in heaven.  

Close in prayer:  In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Let us quietly remember all those we know who have died and ask Gods blessing upon them. 

End with: Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be, and the Sign of the Cross 

Feeling Small?

Feeling Small?

Have you ever had that feeling that you are just too small?  You walk through the halls and everyone runs into because you are too short.  You try to get on an amusement park ride, but you are too little.  The adults are having “adult conversation,” and they ask you to leave the room.  Or maybe, you really want to apply for a job but they would never hire you.  Did you finally get enough courage to ask out a girl, and then she rejected you in front of all your mates?  Whether you are physically short or just feel small on the inside we all experience times of belittling when we lose confidence and we feel ourselves shrinking away from a situation.

There once was a man named Zacchaeus who was too short to see a parade that was going by, and he really wanted to see the main attraction.  Even though he was rich and wealthy, out of his determination, he decided to climb a tree to see this man they called Jesus coming by in the parade.  Lots of people were talking about him and the miracles he had performed. Finally, he made it to the top of the tree and just as caught a glimpse at this man, Jesus turned around looked up into the tree at Zacchaeus and called for him to come down.  Out of everyone there at the parade, Jesus decided he would be staying at his Zacchaeus house for dinner.

  

Show video-

There are a lot of obstacles in life that we face- weather it be physical ones or mental ones because of what others think or say about you.  Jesus chose to stay at Zacchaeus house not only because of his determination, but also to show others that it doesn’t matter who you are but rather what you want to become.  Zacchaeus was a sinner, a cheat, and a thief, and everyone knew it.  However Jesus knew that Zacchaeus was capable of more.  Zacchaeus changed his ways and become an honorable man.

Do you believe in yourself? Do you allow your smallness to dictate how you live or do you rise above it?  Jesus sees more in you than you see in yourself.  Maybe it’s time for him to call round to your heart, and help you live a life of greatness!

Prayer: Jesus I know that I live my life too small.  Help me to be courageous despite what others say and do and live a life only for you! 

Divine Providence

Divine providence- what does that even mean?  I was going to look it up on dictionary.com, but I don’t have any internet connection right now, so I will use my “edumecation” instead.  Divine- something of above or otherness.  Something holy or Godly.  Providence- to provide.  So going with the Sarah-dictionary, divine providence must mean- God providing. 

On Friday afternoon, I saw a pink envelope addressed to me and sent to YI.  Excited at the idea of getting a letter sent to me at work, I quickly ripped it open to see a cute card inside.  Upon opening it, I saw multiple £20 notes.  Quickly reading the letter, I realized that it was anonymous.  Shock and excitement filled me as I contemplated the random act of kindness and generosity of another. 

“Gotta love a bit of divine providence!!! Blessings to you and may the Lord use others to provide for you in the work you do. Here’s to sharing and spreading the gift,” read the card.

This past weekend, I gave a talk and shared my struggle receiving free gifts from others.  I hated being out loved or not having enough time to spend with those who were generous to me.  I remember being in an SPO Christian household, and getting so upset because my sisters were loving me and I didn’t feel like I was loving them enough back.  This was always a struggle for me and something that led to a lot of guilt.  My professors at St. Thomas were so generous to me, and often allowed me to turn in my papers late. I hated having to turn in a paper late, but I was often so busy with other things.  Guilt would again consume me as I would wish that I was a better person.

The worse guilt came when I graduated with honours from St. Thomas.  “I don’t deserve this,” I told myself while everyone else was so excited around me.  If they only knew how bad of a student I was, then they wouldn’t be so proud. 

My dad always told me that he didn’t mind what grades I would get as long as I did my best.  This piece of advice should have been liberating however it often gripped me in guilt and fear.  “Did I really do the best on this paper?”  “If I hadn’t gone out for coffee with that girl, I could have studied more. “ “Why did I go to bed and not study more?”  I never felt that I was good enough or did my best even if I gave all that I could.  “I could have done better,” were my constant thoughts.

Over the last couple of years, I began to realize the prison walls that I had built around myself enslaving me in my guilt and fear.  I realized that by not allowing others to be generous to me or when I did, constantly feeling guilty. I wasn’t allowing myself to experience grace from others or even more from God.  I was closing myself off from God’s love and grace that He desperately wanted to pour into my life.  The truth is, I don’t deserve his love, forgiveness, or grace, but because He is God He does it anyways.  None of us deserve it, but that’s what makes it grace.

If I don’t allow God or others to love me, then I will never be able to truly give to other people either.  I will never be able to live in true freedom, love or joy.  Rather, I will be a prisoner in my own guilt- walls that I have built around myself.  We’re not made for prison- we are made for freedom!  God has been slowly chipping away at my walls, and I have actually been allowing him to do so.  Getting a random anonymous letter filled with money is another reminder of how God truly wants to be the one to provide for me without me doing anything in return.  Instead, I will be grateful and continue to love those around me and “spreading the gift.”     

Persevering Through the Mountains

Persevering Through the Mountains

Why do my teachers always give me so much course work?  I hate school.  It really should be called a prison.  Why does my ma always ask me to clean the house?  Is Christmas ever coming?   My boss is making me work too hard.  I never have enough money. How am I ever going to be prepared for the future?

There is a lot going on in our lives and sometimes it feels like too much to cope with, and we don’t know how we are going to continue on in the insurmountable mountains that loom over us.  Too often to make things worse, there are people who tell us, “you can’t do it.”  “You’ll never be good enough.”  “Why do you even try?”  “No one else in the family was able to do that.”  “You aren’t smart enough.”  “Only pretty people can do that.”  “You aren’t worth it.”  “No one really will ever love you.”  It’s in the face of these situations that you need to persevere and be persistent through the mountains and valleys of life while believing in yourself and the gifts God has blessed you with. 

There is a story of a man named Spence West who lost both of his legs at the age of 5.  The doctors told him that he would never be able to walk or lead an active life again.  But the Canadian-born 31 year old defied all the odds, knowing down every barrier and obstacle in his way.  With the support of his family and friends and through sheer willpower, Spencer has proved the doubter wrong by achieving the impossible.

He climbed Mt. Kilimanjao in Africa.

He spent over 12 months in intensive training, making sure his arms and hands were strong enough to support the extreme physical pressure they’d be put under.  It took him a grueling 7 days to make it to the summit, he traveled only using his hands for a stunning 80% of the trek and with his two best friends by his side willing him on- he held raise an incredible £300,000 for the Free the Children charity.  Through sheer drive, determination and perseverance Spencer West as shown the world that anything is possible and in doing so, he truly is an inspiration to us all.

LOOK at the PICTURES of SPENCER: http://sobadsogood.com/2012/06/23/a-truly-inspiring-story-of-dedication-perseverance-spencer-west-climbed-mt-kilimanjaro/

There is another story in the Bible about a widow who was looking for a just judgment from a judge.  The judge was a cruel man who didn’t care about others or God.  The woman persistently went to him each day looking for a just judgment.  Finally, the judge decided that he even though didn’t respect other people or even God he would give the widow a justice judgment solely for her persistence.

Life can often be overwhelming, but God invites us to be persistent and overcome life’s challenges.  Is there something you need to persevere through?  Ask God for the help and grace to be persistent and overcome the mountains in your life.