CORPORATE CHAPLAINS CANADA

Grace & Gratitude

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

 

Jesus' words, as quoted by Paul: “In everything I have shown you that by such hard work, we must help the weak and must remember the words of the Lord Jesus when he said, ‘To give is happier than to receive’” (J.B. Philips). 

The Reality of the Downtown East Side

Since I started working in the Downtown East Side (DTES) of Vancouver, many people have asked me how I reconcile not only these words of Paul quoting Jesus but also the words Jesus states in Luke 6:30-31:  “Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you” (NIV).

I don’t know how these verses make you feel, but I can be pretty attached to my money and my cell phone, car, laptop….Besides, I—or any of us—can find reasons for not giving to panhandlers who are breaking the law.

  • They are going to use my money to get drugs or alcohol. I can’t give them money.
  • Vancouver is expensive and I need what I have to live to pay my bills.
  • I need all my money to live I’m a poor student.
  • I can’t give when I’m only working a part time job.”  

I have learned that if I can’t give money, I can look and see the person, smile or offer a greeting.

Grace & Gratitude

Anyway, what does this have to do with gratitude? 

Could it be that gratitude is at the heart of what it means to love God and to love our neighbour?  

The dictionary says the meaning of this word is loosely connected to grace.  I wonder if a posture of gratitude (and grace) for all of Creation might help us to live into loving our neighbors as ourselves and loving God with all that we are and do.

Gratitude is not only a response to getting things. When we give someone our money, respect, attention, time and love, we are also receivers because we participate in a circle of grace that gives life.

What would happen...

So, I wonder what would happen to our lives if we tried to recognize gratitude foundational to our love for each other?

Any thoughts about what you are grateful for and how gratitude works in your life?

 

Al McKay serves as a chaplain in East Vancouver. Al's favourite part of his work is seeing Jesus in unfamiliar places of the Downtown East side in Vancouver. When Al was a kid, he wanted to be a teacher or a famous rock drummer when he grew up. If Al had a free afternoon, you'd find him spending time with his wife. 

 

 

Corporate Chaplains

You can find out more about our Corporate Chaplains & read other blog posts from our Chaplains at https://outreach.ca/Ministries/Chaplains


print



Workplace Chaplaincy: A Creative Solution Built Around Employee Needs Workplace Chaplaincy: A Creative Solution Built Around Employee Needs

Looking back 1700 years to the origins of chaplaincy, our workplace chaplaincy program defines what...
Read More..

Workplace Chaplaincy: Addressing Interpersonal Challenges in the Workplace Workplace Chaplaincy: Addressing Interpersonal Challenges in the Workplace

How can a workplace chaplaincy program address interpersonal tension and challenges in the workplac...
Read More..

Workplace Chaplaincy: The Canadian Workplace Situation Workplace Chaplaincy: The Canadian Workplace Situation

Mental health struggles are impacting 1 in every 3 to 5 employees and just 1 of every 10 is using t...
Read More..

Ready To Try Something New? Why you need a Chaplain… Ready To Try Something New? Why you need a Chaplain…

Interested in what a workplace chaplaincy program could add to your organization? We’d love to talk...
Read More..

A Prayer of Thanksgiving A Prayer of Thanksgiving

How many times in your life has someone said to you, "Just take a breath!". As you prepare for and ...
Read More..

Creative Hospitality in the Port of Vancouver Creative Hospitality in the Port of Vancouver

At the start of each ship visit, Port Chaplains never know how God will use us to share His love an...
Read More..

Beyond the Mistletoe Beyond the Mistletoe

Christmas is not all, and only about green mistletoe, tasty pastries, and sweet fluffy calico cats....
Read More..

Breathe! Its Thanksgiving Breathe! It's Thanksgiving

Breathing connects us and reminds us to be forever grateful for the gift of life in relationship wi...
Read More..

Living in Hope Living in Hope

We are clinging to any sign of hope. Yet, it does not take long before we realize that these hopes ...
Read More..

Memory and Hope Memory and Hope

Memory and Hope are twin companions - at Christmas, as well as throughout our year - mingling the p...
Read More..

Christmas in a Time of Numbers Christmas in a Time of Numbers

At this particular time in history, we are inundated with numbers.  Over the past nine months, I...
Read More..

Port Chaplains Adapt to COVID-19 Pandemic Port Chaplains Adapt to COVID-19 Pandemic

The Chaplain Ministry for seafarers has had to change & adapt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bill sh...
Read More..

Insight & Oversight: A Story of Blindness Insight & Oversight: A Story of Blindness

Every person and thing we encounter has a story, but often our own story and our own filters, like ...
Read More..

Coming Full Circle Coming Full Circle

Once an engineer at the marine terminals in Vancouver, life came full circle for Bill Wong when he ...
Read More..

Should Pastors be Required to Marry All? Should Pastors be Required to Marry All?

Should pastors be required to marry any couple that asks, including same-sex couples? Where is the ...
Read More..

Better Together: The Story of Lazarus Better Together: The Story of Lazarus

Exploring the story of an East Side Kid & the story of Lazarus. Did Jesus believe in "Better Togeth...
Read More..

Fear of my Lord Fear of my Lord

My comforter yes. Yet I feel, I confess, a faint trace of disquietude in His presence. Not becau...
Read More..

This is our Moment This is our Moment

I believe that the church is the essential service in a broken world, and this is our moment. Will ...
Read More..

On Thresholds of Light and Darkness On Thresholds of Light and Darkness

We think— sometimes naively—that it would be a better world without darkness. On one hand, God does...
Read More..

Dawn of New Life Dawn of New Life

After an experience with a brain aneurism, Terry experiences two different voices speaking into his...
Read More..

A Port Chaplains Reflections A Port Chaplain's Reflections

Every day, port chaplains are reaching out to seafarers that arrive on ships to the Port of Vancouv...
Read More..

Is Gratitude a Virtue? Is Gratitude a Virtue?

I believe having an “attitude of gratitude”, as the cliché goes, is a good character trait especial...
Read More..

Transformational Gratitude. Transformational Gratitude.

A story years in the making. A Chaplains Story. Looking a little like Jesus strolling down the p...
Read More..

Grace & Gratitude Grace & Gratitude

Jesus' words, as quoted by Paul: “In everything I have shown you that by such hard work, we must he...
Read More..

Awkward Questions Awkward Questions

Often simple social situations give rise to awkward questions that, on the surface, seem innocent e...
Read More..

The Story of a Skeptical Manager & A Corporate Chaplain The Story of a Skeptical Manager & A Corporate Chaplain

This is the story of a Skeptical Manager & A Corporate Chaplain... Ronnie looked stern and grump...
Read More..

A Three Act Play: We are Wellness Chaplains A Three Act Play: "We are Wellness Chaplains"

God is a playwright who is deeply interested in character development; and he uses all sorts of plo...
Read More..

...

Prayer for the Workplace
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the job You have given me. For the opportunity to represent You to all those I work with today. May I be sensitive to Your leading, satisfied in Your provision and secure in the knowl...
Read more...
The Ear of Jesus
Mobilizing God-Made Chaplains into the Workplace! We are familiar with the idea that the Church has been provided with a healthy mix of gifted people who, through the Spirit, powerfully accomplish the work Christ s...
Read more...
BetterIt Workplace Chaplains: A New Era of Employee Wellness
A behind-the-scenes look at the rebrand of Corporate Chaplains Canada to BetterIt Workplace Chaplains! Jonathan Kraft walks through the process & mindset behind the recent changes. 
Read more...
Workplace Chaplaincy: A Creative Solution Built Around Employee Needs
Looking back 1700 years to the origins of chaplaincy, our workplace chaplaincy program defines what chaplaincy IS and IS NOT for today. As well, this article considers how chaplaincy can be a pre-emptive strategy to add...
Read more...
Workplace Chaplaincy: Addressing Interpersonal Challenges in the Workplace
How can a workplace chaplaincy program address interpersonal tension and challenges in the workplace, as well as enhance the offerings of a workplace?  A few striking trends that are impacting the workforce today includ...
Read more...
Workplace Chaplaincy: The Canadian Workplace Situation
Mental health struggles are impacting 1 in every 3 to 5 employees and just 1 of every 10 is using the EFAPs (Employee and Family Assistance Programs.) In other words, there is a need that is not being met by these progr...
Read more...
Ready To Try Something New? Why you need a Chaplain…
Interested in what a workplace chaplaincy program could add to your organization? We’d love to talk to you!
Read more...
A Prayer of Thanksgiving
How many times in your life has someone said to you, "Just take a breath!". As you prepare for and participate in Thanksgiving activities, may you be aware of God's presence. Here is a prayer for Thanksgiving: ...
Read more...