Christine Olding
 
Reconciliation … a long word, which I think is fitting. It is a process that requires time and intention to be successful and highly values relationship when done well. It requires both parties wanting to understand and value the other’s journey and pain. The willingness to walk in someone else’s shoes, to empathize with their process. This requires listening, and humility, the willingness to admit we do not understand someone else’s heart fully. A real desire to know someone. That we may have got it wrong, that we may have reached incorrect conclusions, that we may have judged someone, labelled them ignorantly, overly simplified their character because we did not choose to understand their heart.  Reconciliation is not easy, and in order to be successful it must be fuelled by love and a deep desire for relationship. It is a goal that is not void of justice but prefers the higher goal of relationship, where mutual honour and humility are the foundation.  
 
 
God’s heart is for relationship, always. We were created to be in relationship with Him first, and then with others, and part of preserving relationships and growth is learning how to overcome damage that our inevitable failings in relationship will cause. Without learning how to walk through the process of reconciliation, relationships are doomed to remain superficial or even end through an inability to heal. We see this in families, between friends and groups of people, even countries.  
 
 
However, we cannot move towards reconciliation without fully owning the damage that has been done by ourselves to others. That means no excuses, no minimizing, no avoiding taking responsibility, no victim blaming and no denial. When we are in the wrong, whether through our inaction or through action, we need to fully own it, and validate the other’s pain. This cannot be rushed. A person’s pain is validated by listening to them and giving them a voice.  
 
 If we value someone deeply we will we need to listen. Really listen to their heart, their pain, their perspective. The goal is to understand. You don’t always have to agree, but you do need to empathize with their pain. However, the question to ask yourself is this: have you cultivated a character that is safe to be vulnerable with? Note I didn’t ask how you see yourself, rather how others see you.  After all, the goal is to be in relationship with others. Not with ourselves.  

I want to stop here for a moment and ask…. Are you reading this thinking of someone else? Because if while reading this your thoughts are moving towards the wrongs done to yourself, and how you wish they would read this. May I humbly suggest you stop reading and come back to this later? As long as we focus on how we wish others would change, and what others are doing wrong, we miss the very real and powerful chance to be part of the solution ourselves. By focusing on the one thing we can control that we have complete responsibility for: ourselves. 
 
Reconciliation also means asking for forgiveness, directly, when we have done harm.  Not because we are owed it, but because in asking for forgiveness we are acknowledging our wrongdoing, and that we are in a place where we need forgiveness. It is vulnerable, because it places us in a position not to be forgiven by whomever we have hurt. We may come face to face with the real possibility that the other party does not value the relationship as much as we do. And as horribly painful as that is, we know we will always have the forgiveness of our Heavenly Father, and the chance to grow and bless people even if someone chooses to close the door on relationship. We can still be part of God’s solution. 
 
If reconciliation is an option, it will not involve punishment, but it often involves restitution. Before you react to that statement hear me on this. Punishment’s goal is justice only, often fuelled by revenge, a wrong for a wrong. Punishment by its very nature encourages correct behaviour out of fear of a deterrent; it does not encourage a safe place to grow out of our wrong behaviour.   Restitution operates from a recognition that we may not be able to make “right” what we have done, but we are fully committed to working on not repeating our mistakes again. And that commitment involves sacrificially building bridges and changing ourselves and our behaviour to make things right from our end. 

Restitution has as its goal restored healthier, healed relationships.  
 
 
 
 
 


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I used to get these two words mixed up all the time even though I know they are completely different. For some reason they seemed similar to me. Recently the Holy Spirit showed me that they are two different aspects of how we approach our lives and careers: 

Aerodynamic - this refers to how objects move efficiently through air to reduce friction and drag. People with aerodynamic careers think about long-term plans and strategize to move forward. There can be many reasons for being aerodynamic, and not all of them are negative. The person may be ambitious, easily bored, want to achieve a lot of different goals, or even save for a large purchase. 

How do you plan for an aerodynamic career? Your long-term and short-term goals should be set and evaluated regularly to guide you along the way. 

1. Research what education might be required for your career goals, and plan the costs attached to the education (e.g. law school is expensive and takes a lot of time to complete successfully, so you may need support along the way). 
2. Have a contingency plan because even the best laid plans go wrong. Be ready to be flexible or pivot to a completely new plan if necessary. That may mean you have to stay put for longer than you want to. 
3. Be relational not driven - even in achieving goals, relationships matter most. Don’t lose sight of the people around you in the process of achievement or perfection. 

Lorri had an aerodynamic career. Her husband was in the military, so they moved every 5 years or so. When she got news of their next posting, she researched the local community, set goals, and planned her action steps in advance. She used her connections across the country to make contacts, and was very successful in transitioning to permanent roles when others worked part time for years. Lorri also had to pivot a few times; she and her husband moved to one city and then he was offered another posting at the last minute so she remained in their home while he travelled during the week to work. This enabled her to pursue her own career pathway in a community that had more options for her. 

Ergonomic - this refers to systems and actions intended to minimize repetitive strain or injury due to consistent use. People with ergonomic careers intend to stay put for the long term. They may move within the same organization, but don’t intend to go anywhere else. They may put up with a number of conflicts and challenges in order to maintain the stability of a predictable situation. 

How do you plan an ergonomic career? Find ways to avoid strain or burnout from repetitive behaviour. 

1. Sustainability is important - if you hate change, you aren’t going to be able to avoid it by staying in the same job. Things will still change around you. Build supports in your life in case your job shifts unexpectedly. 
2. Avoid over-use - address conflict assertively (not aggressively and not passive-aggressively) in order to keep work and personal relationships tuned up. Be willing to change, and don’t put up with things that are obviously wrong. 
3. Hope and faith are important - God is always the Provider in any situation, not your employer. If things go wrong, you need to know that God has your back. 

Mark had an ergonomic career. He started out working in his local movie cinema during high school and university, then was promoted to manager of the theatre and worked there until it was closed. He was transferred three times to theatres within Toronto and then was finally laid off. He joined an acquaintance who was setting up his own business and worked for him for years, even when it wasn’t paying his rent. Eventually he had to find another job and after months of a tough search, he found a job in customer service that he loves. His clients request him by name, and praise him highly to his supervisors. He plans to stay there until he retires, and has now made himself completely indispensable. 
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Neither of these two career paths is better than the other. They both have positive and negative sides. You may gravitate to the one that is most comfortable, but you should prepare for the possibility that you will need to pivot and accept more change (or less) than you like. See it as an opportunity for growth. God will be right there with you! 

“Sing to him a new song; play skilfully, and shout for joy.” 
Psalms 33:3 NIVUK 

There is a traditional school of thought that a calling is one of the Biblical, trusted job titles: ordained ministry, missionary, evangelist, worship leader, Bible teacher, etc. Anything that is not one of these, is a job. A career is traditionally considered a path of (usually related) jobs over time. 
We need to take back the idea that careers are not callings and vice versa. Why couldn’t God be the Author of this process, leading us and guiding us along the way? 

Career advising encourages us to review our interests, personality traits, and strengths to paint a picture of a suitable career. However this leaves out the Christian worldview considering how we were designed and gifted by our Heavenly Father. Because most spiritual gifts assessments are focused on the spiritual gifts outlined in the Bible, I recommend considering a secular career assessment that considers your personality, interests and values. It is worth paying for a professional to guide you through the process if you have no idea which direction you want to go. Your local community college probably offers assessment to community residents for a fee. 

But your identity, spiritual (and natural) gifting and unique creation must be part of your consideration in finding a calling. Here are a few questions to work through before the Lord. Make time and space to listen and write what you hear. 

1. What keeps coming up over and over? In what areas do friends come to you for advice? What are you known for? 
2. What makes your heart happy? If it’s sleeping, then think of something else…
3. What words have been spoken over you - either directly from significant Bible verses, prophecy or experiences you have had in God?

• a. Choose things that have really impacted you, not things that others have given you that you feel “dutiful” to honour. 

4. What does your name mean? God often inspires parents to choose a name that has spiritual significance. 

If you can’t think of anything, ask your close friends who have known you a long time, or ask a family member who knows you well and who you trust. You have to weigh everything to check that it lines up with who you know yourself to be and what the Bible says, but it can be useful to seek input from someone else. Above all, know that your Father in heaven has input on this too. If you ask HIm, He will tell you what He sees.

The men who built the tabernacle in the desert were craftsmen with established careers . When they stepped forward to create parts of God’s meeting place, it was a calling from God himself, and an act of worship. 

“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills – to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. ‘I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you:” 
Exodus 31:1-6 NIVUK 

Their skill was raised to far more than they could have ever imagined. I love that God even thought of gifting Oholiab to help Bezalel - it was too big a task for just one man. 

God’s plan for your career exceeds your imagination. What is He calling you to? It may be something unexpected, or it may be something you knew all along. Know that whatever it is, it will set your heart on fire. Be bold and grab hold of the calling you have in Him and in your career.

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You can find Beth Salt on youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw6K2sBVkVJmxI68lev2bnA
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We have created beliefs about money and, fortunately or unfortunately, they have shaped our circumstances. We hold the capacity, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to bring healing into our financial soul and all its avenues. But it’s just not focused on spending; it goes even deeper than that – saving, investing, giving, recreation, planning, and especially our experience with God’s generosity. In the book, Hicks writes on how to change our beliefs and goes deeper into some of these topics. Just a couple things that impacted us in the book were discussions of receiving, gratitude, generosity, forgiveness, and being a cheerful giver. Hicks writes that our difficulty with receiving is an outcome of our fallen state, right from Adam & Eve. We truly believe that we not worthy of good things. Both Jeff and I being givers, receiving was always a difficult task. With the help of God and through loving each other, we have learned that it goes so much deeper.

Walking in thankfulness goes beyond restoration to a transformation from within. Something Hicks says about this really is a truth bomb: he shares that until we have gratitude in our heart, we cannot respect what we possess, cannot cultivate what we have, cannot share our best, cannot have confidence, and cannot be ready for more. Gratitude is so much more than just saying thank you: it’s a posture of the heart. In the book, he gave this really cool analogy on forgiveness. Thinking of your financial distress as a wall. The door is love and the key to open that door is forgiveness, the kind of forgiveness that unfolds into grace, resilience, new life, and even gratitude. Forgiving each other and ourselves while moving forward after learning how to budget as a married couple was freeing. As we had love in our hearts towards each other, there was a wall that tumbled down: financial uncertainty. Looking back over this past year, we can say that we have come far with trusting ourselves with money. Another thing that Hicks does throughout the book that we love is give practical activations and powerful declarations. We haven’t had a chance to do this yet, but we are excited to see what it will come from it and are curious about how we would feel. For example, if you have a large amount of money in your wallet ($200) for a certain amount of time (one week) and you are to be aware of its presence, but don't spend it. How does it feel just having it there?

God originally intended for us to work out of the “knowledge of good” and the generosity He has let us experience. He will make us rich in every way so that we can be generous on every occasion. But it's not God’s goal to make us rich, it's for us to be generous. God loves a cheerful giver. Hicks wrote in the book that “cheerful” means something like this, "to sparkle cheerfully, like sunshine reflecting on a flowing river of prosperity." Being a cheerful giver is supposed to feel like that and even more.
 
We would say that the best quote of the book was: “The more willingness you invest, the more generous and expansive your outlook and feelings, the more you will notice, experience and even attract God’s willingness, generosity, and expansiveness. This is about you choosing your emotional state: specifically, thankfulness, celebration and joy. Rather than depending on other people, or circumstances, to shift in order to accommodate you and provide you with joy, you choose joy. Why wait for the rest of the world to get around to giving it to you?”

Hello, my name is Richard Paul, and I am the founder of RJP Bookkeeping Services which is based out of Stayner, Ontario.  RJP Bookkeeping Services focuses on personal tax return preparation and on small to mid-sized businesses, providing them with both bookkeeping and corporate tax planning. 

I was born at old RVH in Barrie in 1983, and was raised in Stayner as the eighth generation in my family to live in this area. 

The funny thing is, I don’t recall why I ever chose accounting.  My favourite TV show was Dallas, which I found fascinating purely from a business point of view. Honestly, I didn’t care for the drama in the story line!  It was then that I decided I wanted to become a businessman.  When I was 15, I was diagnosed with a neuro-muscular disease called Chariot-Marie-Tooth, which affects my hands and feet. I had surgery on my feet in grade 11 and that laid me up for six weeks. During that time, it was tax season and my parent’s tax preparer had just retired.  I was bored so my parents told me give it a shot and do their taxes.  I found I really liked doing taxes and soon found myself doing them for the rest of my family and then later, family friends.

I excelled in business studies during High School, and even won an award for entrepreneurship.  I took that passion to Georgian College and graduated with a Business Accounting diploma.

I have worked in a variety of types and sizes of companies since then. I have been running my own business for the last 10 years while continuing to stay up to date on current tax and finance policies and regulations.

Now you know a little bit about me!  Now, let me share some tips about personal vs. business expenses and how to keep yourself organized in both areas
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The number one thing you need to do is keep your money separate. Have separate bank accounts, even if your business money isn’t kept in an account labelled business by the bank.  This is a hard thing to do, especially when first starting up.  I currently have both personal and business accounts and credit cards.  Although I try hard very hard to keep purchases separated, sometimes an order from Staples, for example, is for both personal and business.  It’s okay however, because you can still expense a purchase to your business from your personal account. 

Do your best not to use your business account for personal purchases and vice versa. If there isn’t enough money to cover the cost of the purchase either transfer the money between accounts or don’t make the purchase. This means you need to have a solid business and personal budget, but that’s a whole other conversation!

You also need to have a separate filing system for business and personal expenses. Whatever you do, do not use the shoebox method. Use file folders please.  It doesn’t have to be fancy, but the sure-fire way to piss off an income tax preparer or bookkeeper is to bring a shoebox into their office. When you are organized from the start, it can save you time, money and lots of aggravation. This is especially true when it comes to required government filings (i.e. HST, Income tax etc.) or if you ever get audited.

Here are some tips to always follow:

1. Always, always, always get a receipt. Debit and credit card statements are disallowed by Canadian Revenue Agency as proof of payment during an Audit or Review.
2. Out to Lunch: Meal receipts need to have the names of people present and a reason for the meeting (i.e. Richard Paul and Christine Olding - Business Finances).
3. Keep all of your insurances policies forever.  If your past liability is ever questioned, you need to know exactly what your coverage was at that exact time.
4. All receipts must be kept for at least seven years. Business receipts for asset purchases and other paperwork however must be kept forever!
   1. You can apply as a business if you want to get rid of any records after seven years.
   2. The best way to organize them is to have them separated by year in separate boxes and labelled well.

Finally, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me at r[email protected]

I thought about calling this “New Year…New Start”, but I really believe that the new start has already begun. It actually began over 2000 years ago, with a radical new mindset that God was a Father available to all, a God who loved us, wanted to be in relationship with us, and whose love was unconditional, free of guilt, shame, demands and abandonment. This is a love that honors our free will; we can accept it or not from a God who will not manipulate or control us to get our acceptance. It is a safe love. No wonder the new church accepted this with an almost fanatical passion! This was a love available to all ethnic groups, genders and economic brackets. You don’t have to agree with God to be loved by Him, but it is impossible to accept His love and follow Jesus without agreeing with who He is. How do you follow someone without agreeing with them? To do that involves denial, domination, deception and a host of other unhealthy dynamics. And that’s just not who Jesus is. He wants us to know who He is, who His Father is, and then decide if we will let Him be Lord of our lives, or to use modern language, “to be in charge” of everything in our lives, thoughts, and hearts.  He doesn’t take away our freedom, He just asks for the steering wheel. Then He provides freedom with the knowledge that we cannot lose His love and we are always free to say “no”.  

The new church was so passionate about believing who Jesus was, that they jumped in with both feet. They followed Jesus and held nothing back. They sold everything they had to make sure none of them were without what they needed.  

“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” Acts 2:44-45 
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They met together, corporately, each contributing something when they met. 
 
“What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.” 1 Cor 14:26 
 
It was not passive; it was dynamic. No wonder they stood out as different! What group that takes care of its own is not attractive? Passionate about the nature of Jesus and their everyday access to the Father, they chose to follow Him. 

Fast forward to 2021, and I still see passion, and a fervent call to leave passivity and the familiar behind. The activity of the Body of Christ is not a spectator sport, and it is not limited to a building or event. It is a dynamic growing entity infused by God’s presence, whether in the workplace, the home, over dinner, or where any group of believers meet. Where God’s presence reigns, there is no fear, or domination but there is unconditional love offered independent of agreement, independent of your performance.  There is a freedom to say no and to still be loved, and there is a light burden for those who say “yes”.  
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“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Mat 11:29-30  
For we are not building our church, but He is building His church.  And there is a recognition that we are not a building, we are not an event, we are a body of believers making up the Body of Christ.   
Is this easy? No, it's actually impossible without God. And since we are far from perfect, we make mistakes, so forgiveness and humility are key. The forgiveness He constantly shows us has to be constantly extended to others, something we cannot do unless we allow Him access to our lives, hearts, and minds.   
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It’s a dynamic thing really, to grow while fully following God, then fall flat, let Him restore you, then grow again. There is no room for fear or passivity in growth. It is full of creativity, excitement, and change. As we start our new year, I encourage you to return to your Bible, immerse yourself in the culture of the biblical Body of Christ, and risk throwing everything into God. It is radical, it is for everyone, it is creative, and it is without fear because you cannot lose the love offered.